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Rise in stubble burning cases in Punjab
Why in news?
- As paddy harvesting has gathered momentum in Punjab, the key grain producing State, as many as 3,307 cases of stubble fire incidents have been reported till October 21, as against 2,564 incidents in the corresponding period last year.
More in news
- Data based on the satellite aggregation during the ongoing kharif season, between October 1 till October 21.
- Stubble burning-key contributing factor of pollution: Close to the autumn season every year, has been a key contributing factor of pollution in the air and breathing problems among people across the northern region, including New Delhi.
- Reason behind the higher number of fire cases
(1) Advancement in the date of paddy sowing this season
(2) Early harvest: Harvesting of the crop has also started early and therefore the number of farm fires this year, as against the corresponding period last year, is higher.
- Management of paddy straw without burning:
(1) Subsidised agro-machines and equipment to farmers and cooperative societies.
- No challans issued:
(1) State government has so far not issued any ‘challan’ to those farmers who have been defying the ban on stubble burning.
(2) The ban and action against people burning crop residue is regulated under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- Positive response:
(1) The burnt area figure, compiled at the end of the season gives the actual ground reality about farm fires.
(2) Last year, the burnt area had decreased by 9.95% compared to 2017. It’s a positive development and gradually the problem will subside.
(3) It is estimated that over 15 million tonnes of paddy straw is burnt in the open fields to clear the land for sowing wheat or other crops.
Sources
The Hindu