Stubble Burning in Punjab Worsens Delhi’s Air Quality
On November 13, in the village of Karamgarh, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, stubble burning continued, contributing to the worsening air quality in Delhi. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued new rules to curb this practice, increasing the Environmental Compensation (EC) fines for farmers. Farmers with less than two acres now pay Rs 5,000, those with two to five acres pay Rs 10,000, and those with more than five acres pay Rs 30,000.
Environmental activist Vimlendhu Jha highlighted the alarming air quality situation in Delhi, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching ‘very poor’ levels, around 390, for 15 consecutive days. Some areas have even reached 400, indicating severe pollution. The smog has caused low visibility and health issues like eye irritation and breathlessness among residents.
The Central Pollution Control Board recorded AQI levels of 399 in Anand Vihar, 382 in Punjabi Bagh, and 376 in Ashok Vihar. While rain might offer temporary relief, winds from Punjab and Haryana continue to bring smoke from farm fires, exacerbating the situation as winter sets in.
Doubts Revealed
Stubble Burning -: Stubble burning is when farmers set fire to the leftover parts of crops, like straw, after harvesting. This is done to clear the field quickly for the next crop. However, it creates a lot of smoke and pollution.
Punjab -: Punjab is a state in northern India known for its agriculture. It is one of the main regions where stubble burning happens, affecting air quality in nearby areas.
Delhi -: Delhi is the capital city of India. It is a large city with many people, and it often faces problems with air pollution, especially during certain times of the year.
Air Quality -: Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air is. Poor air quality means there are harmful substances in the air that can affect health.
Commission for Air Quality Management -: This is a group set up by the government to help control and improve air quality in India. They make rules and take actions to reduce pollution.
Fines -: Fines are money penalties given to people or groups who break certain rules. In this case, farmers are fined for burning stubble, which is against the rules because it causes pollution.
Vimlendhu Jha -: Vimlendhu Jha is an environmentalist, which means he works to protect the environment. He talks about the dangers of pollution and how it affects people’s health.
AQI -: AQI stands for Air Quality Index. It is a number that shows how polluted the air is. A higher number means worse air quality.
Smog -: Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like fog. It is made up of smoke and other pollutants, making it hard to see and breathe.
Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Ashok Vihar -: These are areas in Delhi. They are mentioned because they have high levels of air pollution, which is a concern for the people living there.
Haryana -: Haryana is another state in northern India, close to Punjab and Delhi. Like Punjab, it also has issues with stubble burning, contributing to air pollution.
