Ludhiana: Stubble burning has again contaminated the atmosphere of several parts of Punjab even as 33 cases were reported before the onset of wheat harvesting season.
Reports said farmers took to burning stubble and 84 fires were reported from south Malwa districts since April 15.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officials said there were 25 rabi crop farm fires between April 15-25, the highest among seven southern districts in the state. Experts believe that there is a direct correlation between the number of fires to the magnitude of COVID cases. In Sangrur, 33 cases of stubble burning were recorded.
Both Bathinda and Fazilka recorded 16 fires, Faridkot recorded 10, Moga recorded 8 and Ferozepur recorded 9 such cases. Sources said the number of stubble burning cases might increase in the next few weeks before paddy transplantation begins.
