Mohali Police Ignites Legal Battle: First Stubble Burning Case Registered Against Dera Bassi Farmer

In a significant move underscoring the authorities' renewed resolve against environmental degradation, Mohali police have registered the season's inaugural First Information Report (FIR) against a Dera Bassi farmer for stubble burning. This decisive action marks the first official prosecution under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), sending a clear message to those who defy the ban on agricultural residue burning.

The case was filed against 65-year-old Balwant Singh, a resident of Basma village in Dera Bassi, following a report from the local police station.

Despite extensive awareness campaigns and stringent warnings issued by the administration, Singh was found to be burning crop residue in his fields. This incident brings into sharp focus the persistent challenge of stubble burning, a practice that continues to plague the region's air quality and poses severe health risks.

Authorities across Punjab have been actively campaigning to discourage stubble burning, emphasizing its detrimental impact on public health and the environment.

Mohali district, like many others, has implemented prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), making the burning of crop residue a punishable offense. These orders empower officials to take immediate legal action against violators, reinforcing the government's commitment to cleaner air.

The repercussions for farmers found engaging in stubble burning extend beyond legal prosecution.

They face environmental compensation, a ban on new arms licenses, and even the cancellation of existing ones. This multi-pronged approach aims to deter the practice through both punitive measures and the threat of losing essential privileges, highlighting the gravity with which the administration views this environmental hazard.

Stubble burning releases a cocktail of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, methane, and volatile organic compounds.

These contribute significantly to the alarming levels of air pollution, leading to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and other health complications for residents. Furthermore, the practice depletes soil nutrients, reduces fertility, and contributes to climate change, creating a vicious cycle of environmental damage.

While the challenges are immense, viable alternatives exist.

The 'Pusa decomposer' is one such solution, offering a microbial consortium that can quickly break down stubble into valuable organic manure, improving soil health without the need for burning. Despite such innovations and awareness efforts, the scale of the problem remains daunting. In 2023, Punjab recorded a staggering 6,000 stubble burning incidents, with Mohali alone accounting for 1,300, underscoring the uphill battle ahead for environmental enforcement agencies.