Chandigarh: As the paddy harvesting season begins in mid-September, the controversial issues of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and other nearby states come to the forefront. It also adds to the rising level of air pollution in Delhi NCR, triggering a fresh debate every year and bringing the government and farmers face to face.
Stubble, Pollution And Politics
According to the latest data by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS), from September 15 to October 22, a total of 3,878 cases of stubble burning have been reported in six states: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, out of which 1,581 cases have been reported in Punjab, 665 in Haryana, 740 in Uttar Pradesh, 11 in Delhi, 332 in Rajasthan, and 549 in Madhya Pradesh.
According to the latest data from the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS), a total of 3,878 cases of stubble burning were reported in six states: Punjab (1581), Haryana (665), Uttar Pradesh (740), Delhi (11), Rajasthan (332), and Madhya Pradesh (549).
Stubble Burning Cases Reduced Significantly In 6 Years
Five years ago, on October 22, 2018, 7,162 cases of stubble were reported, with 3,608 coming from Punjab, 2,445 from Haryana, and 1,109 from Uttar Pradesh.
According to the data recorded on October 22 (Tuesday), the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana during the previous five years has been steadily declining. But during these months, Delhi's pollution level hasn't changed.
PGI And Punjab University Data
Punjab University's Public Health Department and PGI Chandigarh have both been working on this for some time. They also keep a close eye on instances of stubble burning. According to their records, 750 incidences of stubble burning have been registered in Punjab and Haryana during the previous eight days.
Professor Suman Mor of Punjab University and Professor Ravindra Khaiwal of PGI say the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana has decreased by up to 50% this year compared to the previous year.