Flying Squads Deployed in Punjab and Haryana to Monitor Stubble Burning
With the start of the stubble burning season, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has sent out ‘flying squads’ to various districts in Haryana and Punjab. These squads will keep an eye on paddy stubble burning and report their findings daily to the CAQM and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This action comes after the Supreme Court criticized CAQM for not doing enough to reduce air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Ministry of Environment announced that the flying squads will be active from October 1 to November 30, 2024, in 16 districts of Punjab and 10 districts of Haryana. The districts in Punjab include Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Firozpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Patiala, Sangrur, and Tarn Taran. In Haryana, the districts are Ambala, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar.
The flying squads will work closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and take steps to prevent further stubble burning. Additionally, CAQM plans to set up a ‘Paddy Stubble Management’ Cell in Mohali/Chandigarh to coordinate efforts with the Agriculture Department and other agencies in Punjab and Haryana.
Stubble burning is a major concern in Delhi, especially during winter when pollutants get trapped, causing hazardous air quality and thick smog. The burning of crop residue in neighboring states significantly worsens pollution, posing serious health risks to residents.
Doubts Revealed
Flying Squads -: Flying squads are special teams of people who move around to check if rules are being followed. They are not actually flying in the air.
Stubble Burning -: Stubble burning is when farmers set fire to the leftover parts of crops after harvesting. This can cause a lot of smoke and air pollution.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) -: CAQM is a group of people who make sure the air we breathe is clean and not polluted.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) -: CPCB is an organization in India that checks and controls pollution to keep the environment clean.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and rules.
Reprimand -: A reprimand is when someone is told they did something wrong. It’s like getting scolded.
Paddy Stubble Management Cell -: This is a special group that will help manage and find solutions for the leftover parts of paddy crops.
Mohali/Chandigarh -: Mohali and Chandigarh are cities in India. They are close to each other and are important places in Punjab and Haryana.
