NAROWAL: The district administration and departments of agriculture and environment protection have failed to prevent the farmers from setting their wheat stubble on fire as the stubble over 570 acres was set on fire after wheat harvesting in areas of Narowal, Shakargarh and Zafarwal. Smoke billowing from the fields is causing air pollution and accidents as visibility is affected when smoke covers the roads and highways.

After harvesting the wheat crop, the farmers in the district Narowal are burning the stubble to prepare their fields for the new crop quickly. The burning of wheat crop residue spreads smoke everywhere.

Such fire incidents have been reported from villages of Jarpal, Pindi Bohri, Pindi Mahlak, Kangra Road, Vadala, Jandiala Road, along Zafarwal-Narowal road and fields in the tehsil Zafarwal.

Farmers in tehsil Shakargarh have set their fields on fire in dozens of other places, including villages of Bastan, Nurkot, Bhajana, Chak Amaror Road and Kot Naina. Similar incidents in tehsil Narowal have been reported from the Kanjarod Road, Muridke Road, Pasrur Road and New Lahore Road besides the villages of Dumala and Dereianwala. Incidents of setting wheat crop residue on fire in fields are increasing environmental pollution.

Agriculture dept says eight farmers booked for burning wheat residue

Muhammad Ilyas and Akmal Hussain, residents of the village Kanjarur, say that they have to commute for work on a daily basis and smoke from the fields affects the vision on the road. They complain about the situation that makes riding motorcycles almost impossible.

Speaking to this correspondent, Rescue 1122 spokesman Harmat Ali says that smoke from the fires in wheat fields is causing accidents and two persons were killed and 18 were injured in the accidents in the last couple of days.

Muhammad Asim and Riaz Ahmed complain that ash from the fields enters their home and business places and affects breathing.

Dr Asif Ali, a medical practitioner in Narowal, says that smoke increases air pollution, giving rise to throat and respiratory diseases and chest infection.

Muhammad Naveed of the Department of Environment in Narowal says that the deputy director’s seat in the area is vacant.

Deputy Director Agriculture in Narowal Muhammad Iftikhar says that an FIR has been registered against eight farmers who set their wheat fields on fire whileheavy fines are also being imposed to stop the farmers from setting the crop residue on fire.

Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza claims the administration is doing its best to stop the fires.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2025