The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) conducted a field review in Punjab’s Moga district to assess how well measures aimed at preventing stubble burning are being enforced during the current paddy harvest season. The team, headed by Dr. T.S. Panwar, Member (Technical), visited hotspot villages and met with district administration officials to evaluate ground-level implementation and coordination between departments.
Key facts
- CAQM delegation led by Dr. T.S. Panwar, Member (Technical)
- Visit conducted to Moga district in Punjab
- Focus: preventing stubble burning during paddy harvesting season 2026
- Field visits made to selected hotspot villages
- Review included assessment of in-situ and ex-situ residue management methods
- Inspection covered availability and deployment of crop residue management (CRM) machinery
- Part of CAQM’s ongoing monitoring of hotspot districts in Punjab
What is CAQM and why does it matter
The Commission for Air Quality Management is a central government body responsible for coordinating measures to control air pollution in the National Capital Region and neighbouring areas. Every year during the paddy harvest season (typically September to November), large-scale stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh degrades air quality across North India, particularly affecting Delhi and surrounding states. CAQM oversees efforts to prevent this seasonal pollution spike through various enforcement and management strategies.
Measures reviewed during the visit
The delegation examined both methods of managing paddy residue after harvest. In-situ management involves treating crop waste in the field itself through techniques like mulching or direct incorporation into soil. Ex-situ management refers to collecting and processing the residue away from the field, often using specialised machinery or for alternative uses like biomass generation or animal fodder.
The team specifically assessed the availability and proper deployment of crop residue management (CRM) machinery across the district. CRM equipment, including balers, shredders and other machines, helps farmers manage leftover crop material without burning it in the open. The delegation also reviewed field-level surveillance systems being used to detect and prevent stubble burning incidents, and evaluated how well different government departments were coordinating their efforts on the ground.
Enforcement focus and coordination
During the visit, CAQM emphasised the need for continuous monitoring and real-time coordination between district authorities, pollution control boards, agricultural extension services and local law enforcement. Effective prevention of stubble burning depends on quick communication and swift action when violations occur. The team’s assessment included reviewing how hotspot locations, where stubble burning is most common, were being prioritised for surveillance and intervention.
District officials were asked to demonstrate their preparedness to implement preventive measures and their capacity to respond to incidents during the active harvest season. This includes having sufficient CRM machinery accessible to farmers, awareness campaigns about legal restrictions on stubble burning, and ground teams ready to intervene when open burning is attempted.
Broader pattern of CAQM monitoring
This visit to Moga is part of a broader pattern of CAQM’s seasonal oversight. The Commission regularly inspects multiple hotspot districts across Punjab to track implementation progress and identify gaps or challenges that need urgent attention. Such field-level reviews help CAQM understand whether the measures it mandates are actually being followed and whether additional resources or policy changes are needed.
What this means for you
If you live in or around the National Capital Region, improved enforcement against stubble burning in Punjab directly affects your air quality during winter months. More effective prevention measures mean fewer stubble burning incidents and potentially better air quality for residents in Delhi, Haryana, and adjoining areas. Farmers in Punjab should be aware that CAQM is actively monitoring compliance, and that open burning remains prohibited during the harvest season. Those involved in agriculture may want to ensure they use approved alternatives for crop residue management and are aware of available government support or subsidies for CRM machinery.
Students preparing for civil service exams or competitive tests should note that air quality management and seasonal pollution control are recurrent topics in the news and policy discussions.