News: Commission for Air Quality Management has stated in the Supreme Court that farm fires have reduced by 50% in the last three years, but overage vehicles have reduced the air quality.
1. .Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): It is statutory body established under the provisions of Commission for Air Quality in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
2. The mandate of the commission is to ensure better coordination, research, identification and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index in NCR and Adjoining Areas, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan.
3. The chairman of the commission is a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary, who holds the office for 3 years or until the age of 70 years.
4. Stubble Burning: It is the practice of intentionally setting on fire the straw stubble, left after harvesting of grains like paddy, wheat, to prepare the field for sowing the next crop.
5. Stubble burning by farmers in Haryana, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh is considered as one of the major causes of air pollution in Delhi and NCR.
6. Its Impact: A) Releases toxic pollutants (like CO, CH4, VOC) B) Reduces soil fertility C) Increased heat penetration into the soil.
7. Alternatives: A) Turbo Happy Seeder B) Pusa Bio-Decomposer.
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