Delhi braces for toxic air as stubble burning begins in neighbouring states

Delhi braces for toxic air as stubble burning begins in neighbouring states

News:

Two cases of stubble burning have been reported from Haryana and Punjab

Important Facts:

Stubble Burning:

1. Stubble burning is a post-monsoon phenomenon in which farmers set fire to their paddy fields in order to get them ready for wheat sowing in November.

Air Quality Index (AQI):

2. The AQI monitors urban air quality on a real-time basis and also links air quality with likely human health impacts.
3. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), clean air is defined by an AQI of less than 50

Contribution of Stubble burning to Delhi’s Air Pollution:

4. Burning of stubble in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh is considered to be one of the prime reasons behind rising winter air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
5. After the retreat of monsoon, the north-westerly winds which blow over the region bring in chunks of pollutants to Delhi.  During the winter, dust particles and pollutants in the air become unable to move. Due to stagnant winds, these pollutants get locked in the air and results in smog in Delhi-NCR
6. According to different reports, biomass burning which includes stubble burning, causes 16% to 30% of Delhi’s pollution
7. However, other reports suggest that only 4% of Delhi’s pollution during winter results from biomass burning.

Steps taken

8. In 2016, The Supreme Court directed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) to develop a Graded Response Action Plan to tackle the rising air pollution in Delhi. Under GRAP, there are 4 stages of pollution – Moderate to Poor, Very Poor, Severe and Severe+ or Emergency and action are listed that need to be undertaken as the levels are breached.
9. A super straw management system has been made mandatory with combined harvesters, which helps in managing the straw left behind in the field after harvest
10. In 2018, the Union government approved Rs 1,151 crore to manage crop residue. The fund is primarily used to subsidise machinery required for in-situ management of the residue.