Noida Intensifies Crackdown on Stubble Burning and Garbage Fires

On October 19, 2025, the Noida district administration has taken decisive steps to combat the deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR). The authorities have directed all departments to intensify surveillance and act strictly against two major pollution sources: stubble burning and garbage fires.

The district officials have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock monitoring in both rural and urban areas, ensure rapid response teams remain active, and impose fines on individuals found burning crop residue or waste. The agriculture department has already undertaken awareness campaigns among farmers, encouraging them to adopt alternatives such as composting or providing stubble to gaushalas (cow shelters) as fodder instead of burning it in the fields.

The district magistrate, Medha Roopam, has emphasized the need for regular monitoring to maintain a clean and pollution-free environment. She has directed the agriculture department to launch a wide awareness campaign to ensure no farmer burns stubble, as it can be used for compost or as fodder. Additionally, the administration plans to involve gram pradhans (village heads), lekhpals (revenue officials), and farmer groups at the village level to build local vigilance and environmental responsibility.

Continuous monitoring teams will track incidents and ensure timely action, as officials say tackling these two practices is critical for protecting public health as pollution levels rise in the NCR. On the day of the announcement, Noida and Greater Noida recorded Air Quality Indexes (AQIs) of 293 and 248, respectively, both in the "poor" category.