SC slams air pollution panel for failing to stop stubble burning

News: Supreme Court has criticised the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its inability to prevent incidents of stubble burning in the NCR and its adjoining areas.

1. Commission for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) is a 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.