Rewa Breaking: Burning crop residue will lead to jail! Strict order by Collector Pratibha Pal

To protect the environment and preserve soil fertility, the Rewa district administration has imposed a complete ban on stubble burning (crop residue burning). District Collector and Magistrate Mrs. Pratibha Pal issued the order, which has come into effect across the district from 13 October 2025. The directive has been implemented under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Penalties and Legal Action for Violations:

• ₹2,500 fine for landholding up to 2 acres
• ₹5,000 fine for 2–5 acres
• ₹15,000 fine for more than 5 acres

Additionally, legal proceedings will be initiated under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Since individual notice to all concerned is not feasible, the order has been issued unilaterally under Section 163(2).

Straw Reaper Made Mandatory on Combine Harvesters:

The administration has made it compulsory to use straw reapers on combine harvesters during crop harvesting. Machines not equipped with a Crop Residue Management System (CRMS) will not be permitted to operate in the district.
The District Transport Officer has been instructed to monitor compliance and take strict legal action against any violations.
Harmful Impact of Stubble Burning

According to the district administration, stubble burning:

• Destroys beneficial soil microorganisms and organic carbon
• Hardens the soil
• Reduces water retention capacity
• Negatively affects long-term crop productivity

Better Alternatives for Crop Residue Management:

• Using crop residue as cattle feed
• Supplying residue for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) production and earning extra income
• Sowing crops using Happy Seeder and Super Seeder, allowing residue to decompose naturally and enrich the soil
• Converting stubble into bales using Baler, Raker, or Chopper machines for use as industrial fuel
• Ban Supported by NGT & Environmental Regulations

Stubble burning is already prohibited under:

• The Environment Ministry’s 2017 notification
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives

Any violation will attract strict punitive measures.

Committees Formed for Monitoring and Enforcement:

To ensure strict implementation, the following committees have been constituted:

• District-level committee chaired by the Additional Collector
• Sub-division level committees headed by SDMs
• Tehsil-level oversight by Naib Tehsildar, Agriculture Extension Officer, and concerned Police Station In-charge

Agriculture Extension Officers and Patwaris have been instructed to report stubble burning incidents to Tehsildars. The Tehsildar will conduct hearings and forward the final report via SDM for further action.
Administration’s Appeal to Farmers

The Collector has urged farmers to:

• Avoid burning crop residue
• Support environmental conservation
• Adopt scientific methods for residue management

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