DW BUREAU Starting a drive to educate the peasantry about the harmful effects of stubble burning, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik on Thursday flagged off awareness vans that will cover villages of the district to spread the awareness against menace for the next 40-days. Flagging off the vans from the district administrative complex, the Deputy Commissioner said that the vans were fitted with audio messages which would disseminate information about the hazardous effects of the burning of paddy stubble. She told the paddy stubble was useful for the farmers and should not be burnt at any cost. She said crop residues could play an important role in enhancing soil fertility if harvested in the field with the help of ultra-modern equipment. She said the burning of stubble poses a great danger to the environment and must be avoided at every cost. Malik expressed hope that these ultra-modern vans would be instrumental in awakening the farmers about the need for crop residue management. She also asked the Agriculture Department, PPCB, Department of Co-operative societies, rural development and panchayats, education, and others to intensify awareness activities on war foot level in the villages through public meetings, seminars public announcements, or other ways. She also reiterated that instead of burning the stubble, the farmers must use farm implements to efficaciously tackle the menace of stubble burning in the district thereby making the district pollution-free. (editor@dailyworld.in)