Panchkula, Nov. 3 -- In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Panchkula district, the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department has deployed a drone to monitor incidents of paddy stubble burning, stepping up surveillance to curb crop residue fires and combat air pollution.

The drone-based monitoring will cover identified villages and sensitive areas across the district, particularly between 3 PM and 9 PM, when surveillance will be intensified to detect violations.

Deputy Director, Agriculture, Dr Rakesh Poria, said suspected incidents of stubble burning would be documented through geo-tagged photographs and video recordings, along with the exact location and time of the incident. The evidence will facilitate prompt identification of offende...