Farm Fires Evading Satellite Detection Prompt Stronger Ground Monitoring in Punjab, Haryana

Concerns over agricultural fires going undetected by satellite-based monitoring systems have prompted calls for stronger ground-level surveillance in Punjab and Haryana, as authorities intensify efforts to curb stubble burning ahead of the winter pollution season. Satellite monitoring plays a key role in identifying crop residue fires across northern India. However, some incidents may go unrecorded because of limited observation windows, the short duration of fires and changes in the timing of agricultural burning. The monitoring gap has raised questions about whether satellite-based fire counts fully reflect the scale of stubble burning in the region.

Authorities are focusing on closer field inspections, particularly during the afternoon and evening, when some fires may escape detection by satellites passing over the same locations at other times. Districts across Punjab, including Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Patiala and Gurdaspur, as well as Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala and Fatehabad in Haryana, are among the areas requiring close attention during the crop residue-burning season.

Satellite observations provide extensive coverage, but they cannot capture every fire as it happens. Small fires may start and burn out between satellite passes, while atmospheric conditions and the size of a burning area can also affect detection. As a result, a decline in recorded fire incidents does not necessarily mean that agricultural burning has fallen by the same proportion.

To address these limitations, authorities are looking at a combination of ground patrols, drone surveillance and satellite data. Drones can help teams inspect suspected hotspots, while field personnel can verify whether burning has taken place and document incidents that may not appear in satellite records. The Commission for Air Quality Management has also promoted drone-based monitoring to strengthen efforts against crop residue burning in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The approach is intended to complement existing monitoring systems and improve the identification of fires.

Stubble burning remains a significant seasonal concern because smoke from agricultural fields contributes to air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, including Delhi and the National Capital Region. The practice is often associated with the limited time farmers have between harvesting paddy and preparing their fields for wheat cultivation.

Environmental experts have repeatedly highlighted the need to combine enforcement with practical alternatives for farmers. Access to residue-management machinery, affordable equipment rental and opportunities to use crop waste for industrial purposes could reduce the pressure to burn leftover straw.

A more comprehensive monitoring system could help authorities distinguish between fires that are detected, incidents confirmed on the ground and potential cases missed by remote sensing. Comparing satellite observations with drone footage, field reports and air-quality data would also provide a clearer assessment of whether anti-burning measures are delivering results. As the winter season approaches, strengthening ground-level surveillance is expected to remain an important part of efforts to tackle agricultural fires. Officials face the dual challenge of improving detection and helping farmers adopt alternatives that reduce crop residue burning and its impact on public health.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.