Why Stubble Burning In Punjab Went Up By Nine Times More Than Last Year
Satellite images of the first week of October have shown that farm fires in Punjab and Haryana are nine and three times higher, respectively, compared with the same period last year.?
A total of?606 fires in Punjab and 137 in Haryana have been recorded so far. However, data compiled by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) revealed that 1,548 farm fires in Punjab and 308 in Haryana were observed from September 1 to October 4 this year.?
Why farm fires have intensified this year
Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy Centre for Science and Environment has said that the distinct feature is that stubble burning has started early this year, from September rather than the usual mid-October. She added that it is occurring when winter has not yet set in. "We need to study to the reasons behind the early burning. It is also a warning that our preparedness for controlling fires should be ramped up before the onset of winter", she said.
LS Kurinji, research analyst, CEEW, said, ¡°Districts such as Amritsar and Tarn Taran in Punjab recorded 3-4 times more fires compared with the same period last year. Similarly, Kurukshetra and Ambala districts in Haryana recorded nearly three times more fires."
As winter sets in, low wind speed and dip in temperature will push air in Punjab and neighbouring areas from "moderate" to "hazardous".
New chemical might be the solution
Beginning Tuesday, Delhi is set to start large-scale preparation of a biochemical solution, a new technology that decomposes crop stubble so that it doesn¡¯t need to be burnt.
It could prove to be a solution for farmers who otherwise end up burning paddy stubble and causing air pollution during the winter. The solution will be ready within 3-4 days and the first set of trials could be expected over the weekend, said government officials.
