NAROWAL: Farmers have begun burning rice crop residue, with flames rising in the fields and clouds of smoke reaching the sky.

The district administration has completely failed to prevent this practice, as farmers in the three tehsils of Shakargarh, Zafarwal and Narowal continue to set fire to crop remnants.

The burning can be seen from a distance, with smoke visible for hundreds of metres.

Reports indicate incidents of burning in over 12 villages, including Talwandi Bhandran, Norkot, Ada Siraj, Fatehpur Afghanan, and Kanwal.

Alarmingly, farmers are now burning the crop residue during the day rather than waiting for nightfall.

Officials tasked with monitoring smog prevention, field fires, and brick kilns have been notably absent from the fields.

Citizens are experiencing eye, throat, and respiratory issues due to the worsening smog.

Residents Muhammad Sharif and Shahbaz Ali said that law enforcement officers are demanding bribes of Rs2,000 per acre to overlook these violations, allowing farmers to burn crop remnants unchecked.

Another citizen, Muhammad Waris, said that smog levels in Narowal were high last year, similar to those in Lahore, leading to health issues for residents.

Assistant Director of Environment in Narowal Izharul Haq said that legal action was being taken against those who burn crop residue.

He said the agriculture department and the district administration are working to address the situation but could not specify how many farmers or brick kilns have faced action.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2024