A stretch of land near the Gate number 2 of the university was set alight by workers this morning. Dr Gurkirpal Singh, estate officer, PAU, who is also the Director Farms said, “We are clearing up the area to carry out a beautification drive. I have no information about the fire. If it has happened then it is wrong and could have been avoided.” He added, “I will enquire into the issue.”

To set an example, PAU had banned burning of garbage and farm refuge as this leads to pollution and rob fields of their natural fertility. The garbage generated on the campus is dumped into pits to form compost which is then used in fields. Agriculture experts have been trying to promote reploughing of field refuge instead of burning it. The farmers, however, find the process very cumbersome and prefer to set the fields on fire after harvesting.