Authors: Sonal Saral, Anurag Gangwar
Abstract: Agricultural residue burning is a major contributor to seasonal air pollution in northwestern India, significantly affecting air quality across the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This study presents a comprehensive Spatio-temporal and seasonal analysis of crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana during 2021–2025 using satellite-derived fire count data (MODIS and VIIRS), with a focus on pre-monsoon (Rabi: April–May) and post-monsoon (Kharif: October–November) periods. The results indicate that post-monsoon burning dominates total fire activity, accounting for approximately 70–75% of annual fire counts, with Punjab alone contributing more than 80% of regional fire events. Peak Kharif fire activity exceeded 170,000 events in Punjab, while Haryana recorded comparatively lower counts (~21,000 events). In contrast, Rabi burning remained relatively stable, averaging ~85,000–90,000 fires in Punjab and ~25,000–26,000 fires in Haryana. Temporal trends reveal a substantial decline in Kharif fire counts, with reductions of nearly 90–94% between 2021 and 2025, indicating the effectiveness of policy interventions and residue management technologies. However, Rabi burning exhibited limited reduction, highlighting a critical gap in mitigation strategies. Spatial analysis shows dense clustering of fires in central and northwestern Punjab, whereas Haryana exhibits more dispersed burning patterns. The strong seasonal concentration and magnitude of fire activity confirm that biomass burning remains a dominant driver of particulate pollution. These findings emphasize the need for crop-specific, season-targeted mitigation strategies to achieve sustained improvements in regional air quality.
