Stubble Burning Concerns in Punjab and Haryana
Incidents in Muktsar and Kaithal
On a recent Tuesday evening, stubble burning incidents were reported in Giddarbaha, Muktsar district, and Narar village near Kaithal-Karnal road. A local farmer, Lakhbir Singh, expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s response, stating that it has been 10 days since he harvested his paddy, yet no effective measures have been taken.
Government and Environmental Response
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reported 267 and 187 paddy residue burning events in Punjab and Haryana, respectively, between September 15 and October 9, 2024. To address this, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has deployed 26 central teams to hotspot districts in these states. A dedicated cell in Chandigarh is monitoring the situation continuously.
Impact on Air Quality
Stubble burning is a significant concern for Delhi, as it worsens air pollution during the winter, leading to hazardous air quality and thick smog. The burning of crop residue in neighboring states poses severe health risks to residents.
Doubts Revealed
Stubble Burning -: Stubble burning is when farmers set fire to the leftover stalks of crops, like rice, after harvesting. This is done to clear the field quickly for the next crop. However, it causes a lot of smoke and pollution, which is harmful to the environment and people’s health.
Punjab and Haryana -: Punjab and Haryana are two states in northern India. They are known for their agriculture, especially growing crops like wheat and rice. Farmers in these states sometimes burn crop residues, which can lead to air pollution.
Lakhbir Singh -: Lakhbir Singh is a farmer who is speaking out about the problems caused by stubble burning. He is concerned about how the government is handling the situation and wants better solutions to help farmers and reduce pollution.
Commission for Air Quality Management -: The Commission for Air Quality Management is a group set up by the government to help improve air quality. They work on finding ways to reduce pollution and make the air cleaner for everyone to breathe.
Delhi’s air pollution -: Delhi is the capital city of India, and it often has problems with air pollution, especially in winter. The smoke from stubble burning in nearby states like Punjab and Haryana can make the air quality in Delhi even worse, which is not good for people’s health.
