Stubble burning contributed considerably to air air pollution in Delhi final 12 months (File)
New Delhi:
A Supreme Courtroom-mandated air pollution management authority wrote to Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday, asking them to “urgently” implement measures to scale back stubble burning — one of many main causes behind excessive ranges of air air pollution in Delhi throughout winter.
In line with the Central Air pollution Management Board, stubble burning contributed considerably to air air pollution in Delhi final 12 months with the share of farm fireplace smoke in particulate matter peaking to 44 per cent in November.
“It has been delivered to our discover that early burning of crop residue is happening in Punjab. In line with a SAFAR estimate, fireplace counts had been 42 on September 21, round 20 on September 20 and nil on September 15,” Bhure Lal, the chairman of the Surroundings Air pollution (Prevention and Management) Authority (EPCA), stated in a letter to the 2 states.
Satellite tv for pc imagery from area company Nationwide Aeronautics and House Administration (NASA) have additionally proven that farmers have began burning crop residue in elements of Punjab and Haryana.
Although farm fires have began in Punjab and neighbouring border areas, its affect on Delhi’s air high quality might be minimal for the subsequent three days since predominant winds aren’t supportive for transport and accumulation of pollution, in line with SAFAR, the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air high quality monitor.
On Tuesday, the nationwide capital recorded an air high quality index of 115, which falls within the reasonable class.
“Whereas the affect (of stubble burning) on air air pollution is at present minimal as wind pace is excessive and there’s dispersion, the very fact is that crop burning season has began and it must be urgently addressed as per the instructions of the Supreme Courtroom,” Bhure Lal stated.
He requested the states to make all efforts to adjust to the instructions of the highest court docket which has specified that measures must be taken for each “in-situ and ex-situ stubble administration in order that incidence of fireplace is minimized, if not eradicated”.
The EPCA chairman stated the air pollution management authority had been monitoring progress with the states and had labored out clear benchmarks and targets to be achieved earlier than the approaching season.
“We recognise that we’ve misplaced time due to COVID-19, however provided that the winter season is now approaching, we have to sort out this with urgency and guarantee compliance,” he stated.
Bhure Lal requested Punjab and Haryana to make sure there’s an implementation of measures to scale back stubble burning and that machines are procured and made out there to farmers at reasonably priced charges and with comfort.
The EPCA additionally requested them to arrange a management room to difficulty instructions and be certain that machines are inside the attain of farmers, and likewise take motion towards non-compliance reported from the sector.
The Punjab authorities had earlier instructed the EPCA that it has been utilising crop residue in biomass-based energy crops and numerous bio-CNG initiatives are underneath course of.
The state has now proposed to arrange a 25-megawatt solar-biomass venture.
Punjab has already arrange 7,378 customized hiring centres (CHCs) to supply gear for crop residue administration. The state will set up 5,000 extra CHCs this 12 months to perform the goal of getting one CHC in every village. The administration will present 220 balers this 12 months, in line with the EPCA.
Farmers promote bales to close by factories, primarily biomass crops, at round Rs 120 per quintal.
Until now, the state has offered 50,185 farm machines to CHCs and people.
Final 12 months, Punjab produced round 20 million tonnes of paddy residue. Farmers burnt 9.eight million tonnes of it. These figures might be used as a benchmark for the state’s efficiency this 12 months.
The Haryana authorities had instructed EPCA committee has been set as much as look into the progress of bio-CNG and bio-ethanol initiatives and biomass crops to handle crop residue.
The state has arrange 2,879 CHCs and 820 extra might be established by October. As many as 791 balers might be provided by the point harvesting begins. Haryana has deployed 24,705 machines, of which eight,777 are owned by people and the remainder are with CHCs.
Final 12 months, Haryana produced seven million tonnes of paddy residue, of which farmers burnt 1.24 million tonnes.
Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh entice consideration in the course of the paddy harvesting season between October 15 and November 15.
Farmers set their fields on fireplace to shortly clear off the crop residue left behind after harvesting and earlier than cultivating wheat and potato. It is without doubt one of the essential causes for the alarming spike in air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Regardless of a ban on stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, farmers proceed to defy it as there’s a quick window between harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat. The excessive price of handbook or mechanical administration of straw is a serious motive why farmers select to burn it.
State governments are offering 50 to 80 per cent subsidy to farmers and cooperative societies to purchase trendy farm gear for in-situ administration of paddy straw, putting in paddy straw-based energy crops and operating an enormous consciousness marketing campaign towards stubble burning.
However these measures are but to make any vital affect on the bottom.
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