Farmers in Punjab, the key grain producing State, seem to have exercised restraint in burning the wheat crop residue during the ongoing harvesting season. The incidents of burning dipped compared to last year, officials told The Hindu. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data shows that the State had from April 15 to May 16 witnessed 5,981 incidents of stubble burning as against 9,900 cases reported during the corresponding period in 2018. Sangrur district topped the list with 553 incidents followed by Bathinda district (548) and Amritsar district (536). Rangi, an agriculture expert and former State Farmers Commission adviser, said it was an encouraging sign.

Source: The Hindu May 20, 2019 17:29 UTC