Hyderabad: For years, stubble burning has largely been associated with Punjab and other northern states, where the practice has triggered severe air pollution in Delhi and nearby states, and sparked a national debate. Now, Telangana is beginning to see early signs of a similar trend, prompting the state govt to crack down before it turns into a larger environmental challenge.Concerned over the recent rise in crop residue burning in several districts and human fatalities, the Telangana govt has decided to use satellite imagery to identify farmers setting fire to crop waste. Those found violating norms will face cases under National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines and provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment of up to three years.Several incidents of crop residue burning have surfaced in the state in recent months. Though Telangana is one of the country’s major paddy-producing states, stubble burning had not traditionally been a widespread practice unlike Punjab, where high paddy cultivation intensity and a narrow sowing window often lead farmers to burn crop residue to quickly clear fields.Officials say Telangana’s recent rise in crop-burning cases appears to be driven by different factors — a shortage of agricultural labour and a decline in livestock numbers in villages. Traditionally, dry crop residue was consumed by cattle or used for other purposes, reducing the need for disposal through burning.The problem has now emerged in districts such as Khammam, Hanumakonda and Mahabubabad. In Khammam’s Patharlapadu village, fires triggered by crop residue burning spread to nearby fields, destroying hundreds of quintals of harvested produce.Recent incidents in the state also underline the human cost of crop residue burning. On May 24 in Bhupalpally district, farmer Chandramouli died after getting trapped in flames while clearing crop residue, while his wife Bhagyamma reportedly collapsed and died at the spot after witnessing the incident. Earlier, on May 13 in Nirmal district, 56-year-old farmer Manda Ganganna was charred to death after a fire triggered during maize stubble burning spread to his standing paddy crop. In another incident on May 10 in Hanumakonda district, 74-year-old farmer G Jayapal Reddy suffered fatal burns after slipping while attempting to set crop residue on fire in his field.Under NGT guidelines, farmers found burning crop residue may face environmental compensation penalties. Farmers cultivating less than two acres may be fined Rs 2,500, while those with holdings between two and five acres could face penalties of Rs 5,000. For farmers with more than five acres, the penalty can go up to Rs 15,000 for each incident.The govt notification also states that action can be initiated under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Sections 19, 37 and 39 of the Act empower authorities to impose fines of up to Rs 10,000 or initiate criminal proceedings against violators, which could lead to imprisonment of up to three years.Apart from this, cases may also be registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Offences relating to public nuisance, environmental damage and acts endangering public health can attract imprisonment ranging from one month to six months depending on the severity of the violation.Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Tuesday interacted with farmers through a video conference and stressed that the Centre and environmental agencies were treating crop residue burning as a serious issue because of its impact on air quality and soil health.The minister also warned agriculture officials to remain vigilant and ensure awareness campaigns are carried out at the village level. He said officials found negligent in preventing such incidents could also face disciplinary action. He urged farmers to avoid burning crop waste and instead mix residue back into the soil to improve organic content and fertility.
