Union Government has said there has been a 41 per cent reduction in stubble burning incidents in 2018 as compared to 2016. 

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General, ICAR highlighted the considerable reduction in crop residue burning incidents in 2018.

He said India has demonstrated through coordinated public and private efforts that such challenges can be addressed effectively.

Dr. Mohapatra added that this was made possible through the various efforts under the Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi NCT. 

He said that more than 4,500 villages in Punjab and Haryana were declared as Zero Stubble Burning Villages during 2018 as not a single crop burning incident was reported from these villages during the year.