Punjab's stubble burning drops 94%—setting an example for India
Big win for clean air: Punjab has managed to slash stubble burning by 94%, according to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
This huge drop is part of the state's decade-long push to fight North India's air pollution, and now their approach is being considered as a model for the rest of the country.
How did they do it?
Punjab rolled out its Crop Residue Management program in 2018-19, offering subsidies on machines that help farmers handle crop waste without burning it.
By 2025, over 1.48 lakh machines were distributed.
The state also used satellites and awareness drives to show farmers how burning harms both the environment and soil health.
Plus, by collecting over 7.5 million tons of stubble for industrial use, including biomass power plants, paper mills, and fodder, Punjab found a way to balance cleaner air with industrial needs—a smart move that's getting national attention.