This special report from India Today focuses on the ongoing problem of stubble burning in Punjab and the government’s multi-pronged strategy to combat it. The report features Arpit Shukla, the nodal officer for monitoring farm fires, discussing the deployment of “paralysis protection forces” to step in and take action against farmers. When asked about the effectiveness of lodging an FIR, Shukla stated, ‘Madam, it is not very effective, but then yes, there are some people who despite having all the facilities set it on fire.’ The program delves into the significant reduction in farm fires, the role of special forces in 353 identified hotspots, and the growing commercial viability of selling plant residues (parali) as a long-term solution to the annual environmental crisis.
