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As Delhi grapples with poor air quality, the spotlight has turned to stubble burning as a primary contributor. However, a recent study reveals that Madhya Pradesh has overtaken Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning incidents, indicating a shift in the areas contributing most to pollution.
Data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) shows that from October 19 to October 25, Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of stubble burning cases, with 536 incidents. In contrast, Punjab—usually seen as the main contributor to the issue—reported 401 cases during the same period. Haryana recorded even fewer, with 192 cases. This shift suggests that the problem is intensifying in Madhya Pradesh compared to the traditionally high-incident states of Punjab and Haryana.
Other states also reported high numbers, with Uttar Pradesh recording 192 cases and Rajasthan logging 203. While Punjab has made progress over the past five years, seeing a significant reduction in cases (from 16,221 in 2020 to 1,749 in 2023), Madhya Pradesh has shown a troubling increase. In the same September 15–October 25 period, stubble burning cases in Madhya Pradesh jumped from 210 in 2022 to 869 this year.
Delhi, meanwhile, recorded 11 incidents of stubble burning this year, the city’s highest in five years. Haryana has also shown a positive trend, with cases down to 689 this year from 1,772 in 2020.
Despite a slight improvement in Delhi’s air quality over the past two days, pollution levels are expected to rise again, with forecasts indicating a potential Air Quality Index (AQI) of 400 by October 31. Smoke from stubble burning recently accounted for around 15 percent of Delhi’s pollution, underscoring the impact of stubble burning on the capital’s air quality.
