Increased Incidents Attributed to Southwest Monsoon & Premature Harvesting, Challenging Pollution Control Efforts

CHANDIGARH: In the period between September 15 and October 2 of this year, a concerning 682 incidents of stubble burning have been reported across six states in India, namely Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. This figure has surpassed the combined count of 633 incidents reported for the years 2021 and 2022, underscoring a concerning upward trend. The Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS) has attributed this surge in stubble burning to the return of the southwest monsoon from north India and premature harvesting.

Efforts to combat this environmental issue were already in motion, with the Delhi government having previously issued an action plan to curb pollution. Additionally, the Punjab government had expressed its commitment to achieving a 50 percent reduction in stubble burning incidents in 2023 compared to the preceding year, focusing particularly on six districts within the state. However, despite these measures, the state has witnessed a startling 65 percent increase in stubble burning cases this year, with a notable count of 456 incidents reported.

Notably, The rise in stubble burning cases is a cause for alarm, necessitating urgent and coordinated efforts by both state and central authorities. This situation calls for proactive strategies to mitigate stubble burning, such as promoting sustainable agricultural practices, providing farmers with viable alternatives to stubble burning, and raising awareness about the detrimental effects of this practice on the environment and public health.