MP Overtakes Punjab, Haryana In Stubble Burning, Deals Blow To Delhi's Efforts To Curb Winter Pollution

Arvind Pandey: Amidst preparations to tackle the winter air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the rise in incidents of stubble burning in Madhya Pradesh has increased fresh concerns. The condition is worrisome because Haryana and Punjab, which were the biggest contributors of stubble burning-caused pollution, have reduced the incidents in this season itself.

Although large-scale stubble burning is still happening in Punjab, the scale has comparatively lowered this year. The recent increase in stubble burning in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh could undermine the efforts in Punjab and Haryana to protect Delhi-NCR from toxic air.

Centre warns MP

The Union Ministry of Forests and Environment, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, have warned Madhya Pradesh about the rise in stubble burning in Madhya Pradesh and have urged it to take necessary preventive measures.

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Recently, the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM), in a meeting, expressed concern over the issue. Over 4,000 crore have been spent to prevent the burning. Until now, only incidents of paddy stubble burning have been reported, but now the burning of wheat stubble has also increased in these states.

This year, the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment conducted a satellite study of the burning of wheat stubble along with paddy straw. It found that between September and November 2025, a total of 33,028 incidents of paddy stubble burning were reported in six states.

Madhya Pradesh alone reported more than half of these incidents, 17,067. A study conducted in five states between April 1 and May 13, 2026, found a total of 63,195 incidents of wheat stubble burning.

Of these, Madhya Pradesh led the way with more than half the incidents, 36,202.

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Wheat stubble burning between April 1 to May 13 this year

Paddy stubble burning between September 15 and November 30, 2025