- People up north India would always dread the impending winter season as the exceedingly dangerous levels of pollutants in the air would make life miserable to lead. Easily gullible like children and the old would always be the target. The matter has received extensive coverage over the years simply because of the dangerous levels of particulate material found in the atmosphere causing severe health problems to all citizens. The national capital New Delhi often finds itself in the news for the dubious distinction of being labeled as one of the worst-performing cities vis-à-vis air quality parameters.
PC: KENT RO SYSTEMS
- We are aware of how the Delhi government tried out ingenious methods to ensure the pollution levels stay acceptable/normal. But those efforts always used to prove inadequate since the neighbouring states were equally responsible for the situation to flare up. Farmers from states like Punjab, Haryana, Western UP, and Rajasthan were the culprits who went about stubble burning unabashedly contributing hugely to the pollution cauldron. Joint action plans envisaged by the state governments often resulted in little headway since the politically sensitive farming community was involved. Thankfully, the Aam Aadmi Party assuming power in Punjab has had a positive fallout this season.
- As reported, a significant reduction in farm fires this winter in both Punjab and Haryana is heartening news for policymakers and agriculture scientists at the forefront of combating the scourge. Not to forget the common citizens who were yet again dreading the recurrence of pollution-related health crises. Welcomingly, North India’s citizens had slightly better winter air as well. Notably, farm fires are down by 30% and 48% over last year in Punjab and Haryana, respectively. Mind you, this may be Punjab’s lowest farm fire count since 2012. The key then is to sustain these gains next year and the years after to ensure that the practice of paddy stubble burning, which is nothing less than social malpractice, is eventually eradicated.
PC: TNN
- What is obvious this time is a concerted attempt by Punjab and Haryana officials to deter farmers from setting fields on fire. The anti-farm-reforms agitation and the Punjab elections had turned the fightback against stubble burning into a nonstarter, in the last two years. Let’s understand the reasons behind the positive change. Both in-situ straw management through super-seeders, which plough the straw back into the soil, and ex-situ into the soil, and ex-situ baling of the straw for sale to biogas plants, industries with captive power plants, and fodder suppliers, were heavily promoted this year.
- Super-seeder machines gaining in popularity over the previous generation of happy-seeders is a promising development. Innovations that make these machines better and faster and more fuel-efficient can win over the holdout farmers too. Centre’s Commission for Air Quality Management, in which the affected NCR states are stakeholders, has also released ample funds. A mix of technology, government-backed incentives and funds, garnished by a sense of political responsibility, can make a difference to even seemingly intractable problems. This was proved in the instant case. Why not extend the same to coal-related challenges as well? Hopefully, we may see that as well sooner than later.
