Multan: The Punjab Agriculture Department has warned rice growers of strict legal action in case of burning crop residues or stubble, with officials saying the crop landscape was being monitored through Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and remote sensing.
In a statement issued here Wednesday, officials said that violations would result in punitive action under the Punjab Environmental Protection laws and may lead to arrests, imprisonment and fines.
Agriculture spokesman said, Section 7 of the Punjab Environmental Protection laws 2023 prohibits the burning of residues and stubble of rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane and other crops. He said that during the current year, the monitoring of individuals involved in burning rice residues is being carried out directly and lists of last year’s violators have also been prepared. Notices are being issued.
Burning rice stubble and crop residues not only contributes to air pollution but also damages valuable organic matter present in the soil, reducing its fertility that adversely affecting the agricultural productivity.
He asked growers to carry out rice harvest in a scientific and environmentally responsible manner, in consultation with local agriculture experts of the Punjab agriculture department.
