The Commission for Air Quality Management has been issuing directions for prevention and control of crop residue burning in NCR and adjoining areas. State-specific Action Plans for paddy stubble burning have been formulated and implemented by Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on a year-to-year basis, including adoption of ISRO-based fire monitoring protocols. In view of continued fire incidents during the wheat harvesting season (1 April to 31 May 2025), the matter was deliberated in the 26th meeting of the Commission held on December 22, 2025, and subsequent meetings with concerned State Governments.

The Commission, in exercise of powers under Section 12 of the Act, has directed the State Governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to:

• Effectively implement the State Action Plan in letter and spirit to eliminate and control wheat stubble burning.
• Map each farm in all villages for the proposed mode of wheat stubble management (crop diversification / in-situ management / ex-situ management / fodder etc.).
• Tag specific nodal officers to groups of farmers (maximum 100 farmers per officer) for effective monitoring.
• Ensure optimum utilization and timely availability of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines through a mobile application during peak harvesting season.
• Mandate rent-free availability of CRM machines for small and marginal farmers through Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).
• Provide adequate storage facilities for wheat straw to minimize losses due to fire.
• Establish a District Level Supply Chain Management Plan to ensure continuous supply of wheat straw for ex-situ applications, including fodder use.
• Constitute a dedicated “Parali Protection Force” (PPF) at district/block level comprising police, agriculture, administrative and other stakeholder departments to monitor and prevent open burning.
• Intensify patrolling during late evening hours to prevent deliberate burning to evade satellite detection.
• Ensure imposition and realization of appropriate Environmental Compensation (EC) charges against persons resorting to stubble burning.
• Undertake extensive IEC and awareness programmes regarding preventive measures and adverse impacts of crop residue burning.

Further, GNCT of Delhi and the State Government of Rajasthan have been advised to make every effort towards eliminating wheat stubble burning incidents during the ensuing harvest season.

States are required to submit monthly status reports to the Commission regarding implementation of the Action Plans.