New Delhi, December 8, 2025: Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, a major contributor to Delhi’s winter air pollution for decades, has sharply declined, with cases falling by more than 50 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to data obtained under the Right to Information Act (RTI) from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the total number of farm fire incidents across the region fell from 12,750 in 2024 to 6,080 in 2025, signaling a significant enforcement and compliance effort.

The RTI data shows that FIRs registered against farmers for stubble burning dropped drastically from 6,469 in 2024 to 2,193 in 2025. In terms of state-wise figures, Punjab accounted for 5,802 cumulative stubble burning cases in 2024, which fell to 1,963 in 2025. Haryana saw a decline from 667 cases in 2024 to 230 in 2025. This marks a clear trend of reduction over the past six years.

Financial Penalties Reflect Enforcement Drive

The decline in stubble burning incidents is mirrored in the fines imposed on violating farmers. In 2024, Punjab imposed ₹21.80 crore in fines, while Haryana imposed ₹21.87 crore. Corresponding fines in 2025 were ₹12.58 crore in Punjab and ₹12.65 crore in Haryana. Cumulatively, over the past two years, ₹68 crore has been levied across the two states. These penalties demonstrate a stricter enforcement environment in the agricultural belt, reflecting the authorities’ efforts to curb farm fires and improve air quality.

Six-Year Trend in Stubble Burning Cases

A longer-term look at stubble burning data reveals a consistent downward trajectory in Punjab and Haryana. In Punjab, reported incidents have fallen from 83,002 in 2020 to 36,663 in 2023, and further to 5,114 in 2025. Haryana saw 4,202 cases in 2020, peaking at 6,987 in 2021, and declining to 662 in 2025. Conversely, Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of stubble burning incidents in 2025 at 7,290, up from 6,142 in 2024.

Environmentalists and experts note that despite the reduction in stubble burning, air pollution levels in Delhi remain alarmingly high. Amit Gupta, an environmentalist based in Noida, pointed out that the severe air quality during 2025 indicates that stubble burning is no longer the primary source of pollution spikes in Delhi-NCR. According to Gupta, farm fires contributed less than 5 percent to Delhi’s pollution during most of the early winter period, occasionally rising to 5–15 percent on certain days and peaking at 22 percent on November 12–13.

Impact of Crop Cycle and Natural Factors

Several factors contributed to the reduction in stubble burning. Notably, floods in Punjab and Haryana disrupted the crop cycle, reducing the availability of straw for burning. Additionally, increased enforcement and monitoring, coupled with awareness campaigns and stricter imposition of fines, appear to have encouraged compliance among farmers.

Air Quality Concerns in Delhi

Despite the decline in stubble burning, Delhi continues to struggle with severe air pollution. On December 8, the city recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 318, with 27 monitoring stations falling under the “very poor” category and 11 under the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app. For reference, an AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as “very poor,” while 401–500 is “severe.”

Gupta emphasized the discrepancy between enforcement in neighboring states and local sources within Delhi-NCR. “More than 8,600 FIRs were registered, and ₹58 crore in fines were imposed on farmers in Punjab and Haryana. But what actions have been taken against repeated polluters here in Delhi?” he questioned, highlighting industrial emissions, construction dust, and vehicular pollution as significant contributors to Delhi’s air quality crisis.

Looking Ahead

While enforcement against stubble burning has intensified and incidents have halved, it is increasingly clear that a multi-pronged approach is required to tackle Delhi-NCR’s persistent air pollution. Measures such as stricter control of industrial emissions, dust suppression at construction sites, regulation of vehicular pollution, and continued monitoring of farm fires will be critical in ensuring cleaner air during the winter months.

The latest RTI data demonstrates that regulatory efforts and penalties can effectively curb stubble burning. However, experts caution that focusing solely on farm fires without addressing local sources of pollution will not substantially improve air quality in the capital.

As winter deepens, authorities face the dual challenge of maintaining the progress achieved in reducing stubble burning while simultaneously addressing the other major contributors to Delhi’s hazardous air conditions.