- The pollution surrounding the National Capital Region (NCR) of New Delhi is not only notorious for its infamy but also embarrasses the country by the dubious distinction of being named as one of the most polluted cities in the world. The stubble burning from the adjacent states of Delhi like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and the single most contributor Punjab has played havoc with the health of millions is stating the obvious. Unfortunately, despite no less than the Supreme Court stepping in to address this glaring anomaly, the issue has not spurred the respective states to either act in tandem or chip in with concrete measures to curb the growing menace of pollution.
PC: Plyinsight
- The crux of the matter is none of the political parties or the incumbent government’s assuming office are inclined to antagonize the perpetrators of the stubble-burning pollution, the farmers. We all know how important the farmer for the political class is and rubbing them the wrong way is simply out of the question even if it precipitously harms the state of the health of other citizens. Delhi’s dubious reputation as the world’s most polluted capital and among the 25 most polluted cities is a public health crisis demanding greater inter-governmental coordination. No wonder, lots of talks but a lack of substantial changes on the ground vis-à-vis pollution control is palpable.
- Note that from coal used for power generation, biomass burning for cooking, dust spewn by land degradation, construction and road dust to vehicular emissions, and stubble burning, NCR has become a victim of its economic success and weak governance. Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration is now over 19 times the WHO’s safety limit of 5pg/m3. Of course, while the shift away from coal, biomass, and IC engine vehicles will take longer owing to economic reasons and technology still maturing, stubble burning and dust sources demand to tackle on a war footing. The situation calls for an impactful action from the government rather than trying to appease the farmer community.
PC: Adam Vaughan
- Efforts like straw management machines have struggled because of additional costs incurred by farmers, a bio-decomposer jointly developed by ICAR-IARI and pesticide company UPL holds great promise for its reported ease of spraying, scalability, and contribution to soil nutrition. As such, scaling up its production before Kharif harvest, when stubble burning kicks off and triggers winter pollution spikes, requires groundwork starting today. We also know that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in office in both Punjab and Delhi, the party should have no excuses for failing to control stubble burning. Hence, expectations to act on concrete terms will raise from here onwards.
- Understandably, BJP governments in Haryana and UP have just as much stake in the NCR’s future and must join the clear air cause. No less a stakeholder is Union Government’s Commission for Air Quality Management set up with great fanfare and parliamentary backing last year. Dust, accounting for nearly 30% of air pollution, is a result of an abject failure of governance in Delhi, Haryana, UP, and to a smaller extent Rajasthan. If eliminating middlemen in welfare delivery has been a great success of governance, climate change and air quality are a few frontiers begging for smart interventions. Interesting to see what AAP will plan on the burning issue.
