Even as the district administration continues to claim a decline in farm fire incidents across the district, vast stretches of roadside green belts and tree lines along highways and link roads are showing visible signs of damage caused by recurring stubble-burning fires.
A visit to several rural roads in the district revealed blackened soil, burnt undergrowth and severely damaged trees lining agricultural fields. In many places, flames from crop residue fires appear to have spread beyond fields into green belts maintained along roadsides, leaving tree trunks charred at the base and destroying shrubs and natural vegetation.
“It is strange that the administration has not highlighted the action taken against these fires, unlike in previous seasons. Maybe this is an election year and the government does not want to annoy any section,” said Rajinder Singh, a local activist.
Environmentalists and residents say the impact of these fires goes far beyond temporary smoke pollution. Repeated exposure to intense heat weakens roadside trees, damages bark and roots, reduces the lifespan of plantations and affects biodiversity in the area. Small plants and nesting habitats for birds and insects are often destroyed in the process.
Locals travelling on rural roads said that while the number of officially reported farm fires may have declined compared to previous years, farmers in several areas continue to use fire as the quickest and cheapest method to clear crop residue after harvesting. They added that many incidents occur during late evening or night hours when monitoring is less strict.
The issue has also raised concerns over road safety. Smoke from farm fires drifting onto highways and village roads reduces visibility, particularly during early morning and late evening hours, increasing the risk of accidents. Fires often spread to dry grass and roadside plantations, causing long stretches of green cover to wither.
Agriculture expert Dr Tejinder Singh pointed out that burning stubble not only damages the environment but also reduces soil fertility by destroying beneficial microorganisms and organic nutrients present in the topsoil. Continuous burning can harden the soil and increase long-term dependence on chemical fertilisers, he said.
Officials maintain that awareness campaigns, subsidies on residue-management machinery and strict penalties have helped reduce the number of fire incidents in recent years. However, environmental activists argue that the damaged condition of roadside green belts in many parts of the district reflects that the practice still remains widespread on the ground.
