https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Dousing of Stubble Fires in Gurdaspur by ‘Vatavaran De Rakhe’

DC Himanshu Aggarwal has launched 'Vatavaran De Rakhe,' to curb stubble burning and promote responsible environmental practices The initiative rewards farmers who refrain from stubble burning with 'Vatavaran De Rakhe' certificate, granting privileges in government offices and priority status in developmental projects It has garnered positive responses from the farmers and as it also provides them with machines to convert stubble into useful products
Indian Masterminds Stories

To bring an end to the persistent issue of stubble burning in the district, 2014 batch IAS officer Himanshu Aggarwal, the Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur, Punjab, has unveiled an innovative initiative named ‘Vatavaran De Rakhe’ (Protectors of Environment). The initiative aims to encourage farmers and communities to refrain from stubble burning and promote responsible environmental practices.

Last year, Gurdaspur witnessed approximately 850 instances of stubble burning, highlighting the urgent need for a sustainable solution. In response, ‘Vatavaran De Rakhe’ was launched as a localized awareness campaign focussing on the 55 hotspot villages where more than 10 stubble burning incidents were recorded in the previous year.

VATAVARAN DE RAKHE

Speaking to Indian Masterminds, DC Himanshu Aggarwal explained, “Rather than adopting punitive measures against farmers and individuals resorting to stubble burning, we want to appreciate those who abstain from it. As part of this initiative, we have pledged to award the ‘Vatavaran De Rakhe’ certificate to farmers and panchayats that refrained from stubble burning last year and commit to not burning it this year.”

IAS officer Himanshu Aggarwal asking farmers to take pledge for not burning stubble

The certificate, acting as a form of recognition, grants holders certain privileges when dealing with government offices. Farmers and communities possessing this certificate can expedite their interactions with government entities, effectively jumping queues for various services.

Furthermore, villages awarded the ‘Vatavaran De Rakhe’ certificate will receive priority status in developmental projects.

COMMITTEE

To oversee the initiative’s implementation, a committee has been formed, consisting of senior administrative officers, the Chief Agriculture Officer, and a senior officer from the pollution control board. This committee will assess applications from those who have refrained from stubble burning and organize an awards ceremony at the end of the season, around the last week of November.

POSITIVE RESPONSE

Mr. Aggarwal reported that the initiative has already garnered positive responses, particularly from individual farmers who are committed to reducing stubble burning incidents. The ultimate goal is to decrease stubble burning incidents by more than 50% compared to the previous year’s 450 incidents.

TIE-UP FROM COMPANIES

As part of the ex-situ management approach, the initiative provides farmers with baler and rake machines to cut and convert stubble into bales. These bales are then transported to various industries where they are used as fuel, particularly in boiler machines. Additionally, stubble can be converted into pallets through a palletization process, with five businessmen applying to establish such industries in the district. “Two of these applications have already been sanctioned, paving the way for the utilization of stubble pallets in brick kilns,” the officer shared.

The officer further informed that this year, Gurdaspur distributed 118 rake and baler machines to farmers and has also witnessed the emergence of a separate industry supplying these machines directly to farmers. DC Himanshu Aggarwal expressed optimism, anticipating the growth of more such industries in the coming months.

CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT

In the context of crop residue management, two methods are employed: in-situ and ex-situ methods. While in-situ management involves mixing stubble back into the soil to enhance soil fertility, ex-situ management collects and utilizes stubble elsewhere. “Currently, Gurdaspur boasts around 5000 in-situ machines and approximately 200 ex-situ machines in operation,” the officer shared.

The ‘Vatavaran De Rakhe’ initiative represents a concerted effort to protect the environment, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and reduce the harmful consequences of stubble burning in the region. With the active participation of farmers, communities, and local businesses, Gurdaspur aims to make significant strides towards a cleaner and greener future.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
IAS Sanjay Garg Appointed OSD at BIS, to Take Over as DG in Nov; IAS Chandra Sekhar Gets Addl Charge as Parliamentary Affairs Secretary
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
IAS Sanjay Garg Appointed OSD at BIS, to Take Over as DG in Nov; IAS Chandra Sekhar Gets Addl Charge as Parliamentary Affairs Secretary
IFS S Krithiga
Eco-Friendly Cottages, Tribal Cuisine, and Conservation: Inside Tamil Nadu’s Pachamalai Project
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT