Torching crop residue remains a threat

The agriculture department and the local administrations have failed to curb the burning of crop stubble across Punjab because of the lack of a comprehensive policy or mechanism to implement the Lahore High Court's order for preventing smog.

The court has been hearing for various petitions about curbing smog and pollution as well as protecting groundwater from wastage for several years.

A Judicial Water and Environment Commission constituted for the purpose conducted meetings with the authorities, issued directives and imposed heavy fines on the factories, brick kilns and landowners causing pollution.

LHC Justice Shahid Karim also issued several orders to the authorities for ensuring the elimination of the smoke emission from stubble burning., brick kilns and vehicles. Initiatives were also ordered to stop misuse of water on car washing and proper use of ablution water. However, despite all the efforts, some issues persist and the commission is of the view that the local administrations have failed to ensure the enforcement of the measures.

During court proceedings, it transpired that the stubble burning incidents are still happening near Multan Motorway.

Justice Shahid Karim directed the authorities concerned to come up with a proper policy of the agriculture department against stubble burning.

According to sources, the provincial agriculture secretary had complained in a meeting of the commission about stubble burning by farmers. He said that some field officers had claimed that a fire in crop residue had been caused by an electric short circuits. The sources said the secretary had been instructed to come up with a mechanism and file a report on the occurrence of stubble fires because of short circuit.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Punjab Agriculture Additional Secretary Waqas Rashid said the agriculture department, has devised a comprehensive action plan.

The promotion of ploughing the residue back into the soil to decompose naturally is one method.