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The Air Quality Index in Delhi is once again heading toward a concerning level. As November and December approach, Delhi-NCR becomes enveloped in fog, which we refer to as smog. One of the causes behind this is stubble burning. Yes, whenever stubble is burned in Punjab and Haryana, it has a direct impact on Delhi-NCR. Despite some improvements due to government efforts, there are still some districts in Haryana and Punjab that remain major contributors to this issue. We are going to tell you the names of these districts, along with which ones send more and which ones send less polluted air to Delhi.
The names of the districts responsible for stubble burning have been highlighted in a latest report prepared by the Climate Trends, a research-based consulting agency in New Delhi. Agency has analysed the satellite data on fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana and came up with some valuable inputs, which can help the state to take a call.
Both Punjab and Haryana are classified as key regions associated with stubble burning. These fire incidents have been a major contributor in impacting Delhi's air health, particularly during the post-monsoon season.
Highlights of the Climate Trends Report:
- From 2019 to 2023, fire incidents in Haryana and Punjab have shown fluctuations, with significant declines observed in 2022 and 2023.
- In Haryana, fire incidents decreased from 14,122 in 2019 to 7,959 in 2023, with the majority of fire activity occurring between September and December.
- Karnal and Kaithal saw substantial decreases, with reductions of approximately 86% and 78%, respectively, reflecting major drops in fire occurrences.
- Conversely, fire incidents rose sharply in areas like Gurgaon, Mewat, and Jhajjar.
- In Punjab, fire incidents peaked at 95,048 in 2020, dropping to 52,722 in 2023, although the post-monsoon period continues to be the most fire-prone.
- Districts such as Gurdaspur and Muktsar experienced notable reductions, with decreases reaching up to 71%.
- Moderate reductions were seen in areas like Bathinda and Faridkot, with decreases ranging between 22% and 45%, while some districts, including Amritsar and Sangrur, saw only minimal reductions.
- In certain regions, such as Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, there was a slight rise in fire counts.
- These fire incidents had a significant impact on Delhi's air quality. On days without fires, the city's AQI averaged 175, which is classified as "Moderate." However, during the stubble-burning season, the AQI rose to 233, classified as "Poor," and on days when fire counts exceeded climatological averages, the AQI surged to 337, considered "Very Poor."
- Fire activity in Punjab and Haryana contributed to a 103-point increase in Delhi's AQI, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated efforts in fire management and air quality control across states.
- The data reveals a clear seasonal pattern, with fire activity being consistently higher from September to December compared to the rest of the year.
Significant Drop in Fire Incidents
According to Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, the reduction in fire incidents across Punjab and Haryana presents a mixed picture. While some districts in Punjab have seen significant reductions, the overall fire count remains high.
In her statement on stubble burning, Aarti Khosla noted that fire incidents in some districts of Haryana have increased, although the overall numbers remain comparatively low.
"Delhi continues to grapple with poor air quality. While stakeholders-from farmers to government agencies to scientists-are making efforts, the main challenge lies in communication. We must understand the difficulties farmers face and act accordingly. Practices such as mulching, in-situ crop residue management, and organic farming need to be emphasized," she added.
Farmers Becoming More Aware
Dr. R.N. Padaria, Joint Director of Extension at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, highlighted the growing awareness among farmers regarding stubble burning management. An integrated approach is being adopted, utilizing short-duration paddy varieties, appropriate farm machinery to incorporate straw into the soil, mulching, and preparing feed blocks. The use of microbial decomposers and alternative methods, such as supplying crop residues to power plants, is also gaining traction.
"Persuasive communication, access to custom-hired machinery, and viable technological options have greatly enhanced the effectiveness of stubble burning management," Dr. Padaria concluded.
