SDM Jasjit
Singh reviews ground preparedness for paddy harvesting season 2026
Hotspot
villages to get priority drone coverage, with special focus on 3 PM–9 PM
SULTANPUR
LODHI (KAPURTHALA), Sep 30: In a significant step to intensify the ongoing
campaign against stubble burning, the Punjab Government has ordered the
deployment of drones in identified hotspot villages during the 2026 paddy
harvesting season. The technology-based surveillance mechanism will strengthen
field-level monitoring and ensure timely detection and action against incidents
of stubble burning.
Reviewing the
preparedness in view of the new guidelines, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
Jasjit Singh said that drone surveillance would further strengthen the efforts
to protect the environment, safeguard public health and preserve soil
fertility. He said drones would be deployed on a priority basis in villages
identified as stubble-burning hotspots on the basis of fire incidents recorded
during the previous harvesting season. Dedicated drone coverage would be
provided to the most affected villages, while shared coverage would be arranged
for smaller clusters in other areas.
The SDM said
the drones would particularly focus on the crucial evening window between 3 PM
and 9 PM, when satellite-based monitoring may have limitations. Visual and
location data captured through drone surveillance would be cross-verified in
real time with satellite data received from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre
(PRSC), Ludhiana, and mapped with land records. This integrated mechanism would
enable field officials to identify the exact location of the affected field and
ascertain the concerned landholder for timely action. He said the combined use
of satellite and drone surveillance would strengthen the monitoring system and
help ensure that incidents of stubble burning do not go undetected. At the same
time, the administration would continue to extend full support and cooperation
to the vast majority of farmers who adopt sustainable residue-management
practices and refrain from burning paddy straw.
The SDM
further said that cluster coordinators and nodal officers have already been
deployed across all 215 villages of the sub-division. They would work in close
coordination with village-level Patwaris, the police and fire services to
verify alerts on the ground and report action taken. Each officer has been
assigned a cluster of around 20 villages and would remain in daily contact with
field staff throughout the harvesting season. A dedicated WhatsApp group has
also been created to ensure real-time coordination and communication among all
stakeholders.
Urging
farmers to refrain from stubble burning, Singh said that burning paddy residue
destroys valuable soil nutrients, including nearly 80 kg of nitrogen per
hectare, besides adversely affecting beneficial microorganisms in the soil. He
encouraged farmers to incorporate crop residue back into their fields, which
helps improve soil health and supports the productivity of future crops.He also
urged farmers to make full use of the government’s support for scientific
residue management. Farmers can avail subsidies ranging from 50 to 80 per cent
on machinery such as Super Seeders, Happy Seeders and Balers available through
Cooperative Societies and Custom Hiring Centres. Small and marginal farmers
would be given priority in accessing these facilities. Farmers requiring
assistance can contact their respective Cluster Coordinator, Nodal Officer or
village Patwari for guidance and support.
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