CPCB cited estimates from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s Decision Support System (DSS)

The study's findings contradict CAQM’s recent statement that farm fires in Punjab and Haryana dropped nearly 90 percent between 2020 and 2024.

Data from the Decision Support System showed a 2.66% contribution from stubble burning on Saturday.

Data from the Decision Support System showed a 2.66% contribution from stubble burning on Saturday.

Farmers in parts of Punjab are increasingly sending crop stubble to recycling units instead of burning it.

Farmers in Punjab (India) are recycling their crop stubble instead of burning it, to help reduce severe air pollution.

Farmers in over 800 villages of Punjab are now collecting crop stubble using balers and sending it to factories instead of burning it, helping to reduce the severe air pollution in New Delhi.

Farmers in over 800 villages across Punjab are now adapting to the use of balers to stack the stubble

Farmers in over 800 Punjab villages are now using balers to collect crop stubble instead of burning it. They send it to factories where it’s turned into biogas, bio-fertiliser and cardboard.

In recent days, DSS forecasts projected that stubble burning could contribute over 30% to Delhi’s PM 2.5 levels. However, actual contributions have remained below 10%, based on fire counts recorded later in the day. 

In recent days, DSS forecasts projected that stubble burning could contribute over 30% to Delhi’s PM 2.5 levels. However, actual contributions have remained below 10%, based on fire counts recorded later in the day. 

The latest spike coincides with a sharp rise in stubble burning cases in Punjab, which reported 442 farm fires on Saturday -- the highest single-day count so far this season

Experts attributed the current spike to local factors and said the Pakistan fires have not yet contributed to Delhi’s pollution due to current wind patterns

The contribution of stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana has remained negligible this season – below 1% on most days, and peaking at just 2.6%

Environment analysts say fire burning has just begun, with peak stubble burning expected in late October through early November.