DC flags off publicity vans to sensitize farmers of harmful effects of stubble burning

Vans to visit hospot villages for next one month to spread maximum awareness 

Jalandhar News: Adopting multi-pronged strategy to curb stubble burning practices at grass route level, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal today flagged off three awareness vans to sensitize the farmers in stubble burning hotspot villages.

Flagging off the vans from district administrative complex, the Deputy Commissioner said that the vans have been fitted with audio messages and will sensitise people about hazardous effects of the burning of paddy stubble. He said that this van will visit all hotspots during next 30 days across all ten agriculture blocks to spread maximum awareness against this problem. 

He said the paddy stubble was useful for the farmers and it should not be burnt at any cost as farm residue could play an important role in enhancing the fertility of the soil. He said burning of stubble poses a danger to the environment and must be avoided at every cost.

The DC further stated that the Administration has procured a large number of machines to help farmers manage crop residue. So far, as many as 6342 such machines have been provided to farmers to manage crop residue. 

The Deputy Commissioner said that besides the audio messages, vans would also disseminate information to the farmers through the pamphlets and posters for making them aware of the pollution caused by paddy burning beside the ways and means of managing the paddy straw effectively.

He also said that due to the burning of paddy straw several major nutrients and other micronutrients of soil were destroyed whereas the soil health improves drastically if the residue of straw was mixed in the soil. Senior officials from agriculture department and PPCB were also present on the occasion.