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Stubble Burning Ends, But Air Pollution Persists: The Bigger Picture
Published : Jan 22, 2025, 8:06 pm IST
Updated : Jan 22, 2025, 8:06 pm IST
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Stubble Burning Ends, But Air Pollution Persists: The Bigger Picture
Stubble Burning Ends, But Air Pollution Persists: The Bigger Picture

As the last embers of the stubble-burning season die out, the skies of northern India may appear clearer

Punjab latest news on stubble burning:  As the last embers of the stubble-burning season die out, the skies of northern India may appear clearer, but the air we breathe is far from clean. While much of the public discourse around air pollution has centered on stubble burning, it is crucial to shift our gaze to the bigger picture. The smog that blankets cities like Delhi, Amritsar, and Gurugram is not a seasonal phenomenon—it is a year-round crisis with far-reaching consequences.


Yes, stubble burning in states like Punjab and Haryana remains a problem. During its peak in October and November, it contributes significantly to the toxic haze choking the region. But framing it as the sole villain in our battle against air pollution oversimplifies a far more complex issue. Research, including a detailed analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), shows that stubble burning is just one of many contributors to the region’s air quality woes.
Data from the CSE reveals that local pollution sources in Delhi contribute 30.34% of the city’s air pollution, with transportation accounting for 50.1% of this share. Meanwhile, 34.97% of the pollution originates from neighboring NCR districts, and 27.94% comes from other regions. Stubble burning, often highlighted, contributes only 8.19% to Delhi’s overall pollution levels.

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Vehicular emissions are among the most significant contributors to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. An estimated 1.1 million vehicles enter and exit the city daily, exacerbating pollution levels. This constant influx of traffic intensifies emissions, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute 81% of the NOx pollution in Delhi. The transportation sector remains a relentless source of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. While policies promoting electric vehicles and cleaner fuels have been introduced, the overwhelming volume of traffic and continued dependence on aging diesel engines ensure that air quality remains critically poor.


A source apportionment study conducted across five cities in Punjab has highlighted several key factors affecting ambient air quality, including road dust, construction activities, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution. In Jalandhar, the findings show that road dust, vehicular emissions, and solid waste are the major contributors to air pollution. In Dera Baba Nanak, alongside road dust, emissions from eateries and diesel generator (DG) sets are significant factors. In Naya Nangal, construction and demolition waste, along with road dust, account for a staggering 80% of the air pollution in the area.
Industrial activity is another year-round offender. From brick kilns to small-scale manufacturing units, emissions from these sources continue unchecked in many areas. The lack of stringent enforcement of environmental norms compounds the problem, allowing industries to spew pollutants that contribute to both air and water contamination.


Construction and road dust add another layer of complexity. As cities expand rapidly, construction sites and poorly maintained roads become significant contributors to air pollution. The absence of effective dust suppression measures only exacerbates the issue, especially during the dry months when particulate matter remains suspended in the air.
And then there is waste burning—a practice as ubiquitous as it is harmful. Whether it’s municipal solid waste in urban centers or agricultural residue in rural areas, the open burning of waste releases a cocktail of harmful toxins, including dioxins and furans, into the atmosphere. Despite being banned, this practice persists due to poor waste management systems and a lack of viable alternatives.

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Given this backdrop, stubble burning becomes a convenient scapegoat, distracting from the structural issues that perpetuate air pollution in the region. It is, of course, a visible and acute problem, but addressing it alone will not clear our skies. Solutions must be as multifaceted as the problem itself.
The discourse needs to evolve beyond seasonal blame games and embrace long-term, systemic change. Policies aimed at reducing pollution cannot focus solely on farmers or a few months of the year. They must address the underlying causes of pollution across sectors. For example, investment in public transport, stricter enforcement of industrial emission norms, and sustainable urban planning can make significant inroads into reducing pollution levels.
What Are We Doing About It?
At the Aircare Centre, we’ve been closely monitoring the impact of stubble burning in northern India and actively working on solutions to reduce both its occurrence and long-term effects. While there has been some positive progress, it’s important to recognize that real, lasting change won’t happen overnight. To aid in tracking progress, we’ve developed a dashboard that monitors fire counts across various districts in Punjab.


On a positive note, more farmers are turning to alternatives to burning, thanks to a combination of government initiatives and grassroots efforts. Over the past few months, a series of workshops at the village level, including one at Khalsa College for Women in Amritsar, have equipped farmers with valuable insights into sustainable farming practices. These workshops emphasize the importance of soil conservation and introduce technologies like the Happy Seeder, a no-till planter that directly sows seeds in crop residue without preparing the seedbed. Towed by a tractor, it uses a straw chopper and zero-till drill to plant efficiently.


As a result, during the 2024 Kharif season, the Clean Air Punjab network successfully helped save 12,000 hectares out of a targeted 14,000 hectares from stubble burning.
Nevertheless, challenges remain, particularly the high cost and limited accessibility of these alternatives. While some government programs offer subsidies for machinery, the expense remains prohibitive for many small-scale farmers. Moving forward, it is crucial not only to expand access to alternative technologies but also to strengthen the support system. This includes enhanced subsidies, affordable loans, and ongoing technical guidance, which will help make these sustainable practices both accessible and economically viable for all farmers.
A Call for Comprehensive Solutions

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As we look ahead, it is clear that the road to reducing stubble burning will be a long one. Short-term solutions like fines and penalties may provide some deterrence, but they will not fully solve the problem. The key lies in creating a sustainable, incentive-based system that rewards farmers for adopting eco-friendly practices while ensuring that they aren’t left financially vulnerable in the process.
This means increasing support for technology adoption, including more accessible stubble management machines and incentivizing the sale of stubble to industries that can convert it into useful products like biofuels, paper, and other materials like packaging. It also requires continuous engagement with farmers, involving them in the decision-making process and providing regular education on alternative methods.
At the same time, stricter enforcement of regulations, along with better monitoring systems, will play an important role. It's encouraging that satellite monitoring technology is helping to track instances of stubble burning in real-time, but we must ensure that the enforcement mechanisms are more effective and that penalties are applied in a fair and transparent manner.

The Road Ahead: A Shared Responsibility
As we reflect on the aftermath of the stubble burning season, it's clear that the issue extends far beyond agriculture and the environment—it is a pressing public health crisis that demands immediate, collective action. The impact on air quality is undeniable, with stubble burning contributing significantly to the region's already alarming levels of air pollution. But this crisis isn’t solely about burning fields; it’s a broader issue that involves road dust, industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and more. Addressing these sources requires a coordinated response from governments, farmers, communities, and environmental organizations. Only through collaboration can we find a path forward that safeguards both public health and the environment.
As we move into the new year, it’s time to focus on long-term solutions that reduce air pollution in all its forms. While the end of the stubble burning season provides a temporary reprieve, the underlying air quality challenges remain. Our commitment should be to eliminate stubble burning and other pollutants, and prioritize sustainable farming practices that contribute to cleaner air and healthier communities. Let’s resolve to make 2025 the year we take meaningful steps toward tackling air pollution at its roots—ensuring that the toxic haze from stubble burning and other sources no longer clouds our future.

About the Author
Hargun Kaur is an environmental advocate and fellow at the AirCare Centre at Khalsa University, Amritsar.
Air Care Centre at Khalsa University, works to improve air quality by combining technology, community engagement, and sustainable practices.

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