Diwali Is One Cause, NASA Satellite Pics Show Stubble Burning In Punjab And Haryana Contributing To Pollution And Smog
How burning of paddy stable is another cause of pollution in Delhi NCR apart from Diwali pollution.
While Delhi-NCR is yet to recover from the pollution which enveloped the region post Diwali celebrations, the thick cover of smog in last two days has further made lives of the residents of NCR a bit difficult.
PTI
But apart from the vehicular, industrial and pollution caused by crackers, the burning of crop stubble, especially paddy by farmers across the states of Punjab, Haryana and Western UP in last one month has reportedly contributed in increasing levels of pollution.
NASA
A recently released NASA forecast shows high levels of ¡®fires and thermal anomalies¡¯ in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. According to New York Times report, farmers are burning around 32 million tons of leftover straw.
NASA
The National Green Tribunal had instructed the government to stop this practice and this year Punjab and Haryana High Court has not only ordered respective state government to contain this practice, but the government has also put a fine of Rs 10,000 on burning of the stable.
NASA
Towards the end of October, farmers begin burning the process of burning paddy stubble which leads to plumes of smoke blackening the skies. The practice of farmers harvesting the crops by hand is on the decline as most use combines to cut crop, which renders the stubble useless.
NASA
Farmers in order to sow the next crop which mainly remains wheat in this region burn the stable in the fields. However, this practice has seen decline by 21 per cent in the last three years, as per Haryana State Pollution Control Board survey done in 2015.
NASA
The board and government are also working on a strategy to curb this problem and are planning to launch a pilot project for paddy straw-based biomass power project.
Reuters
The reports of burning of stubble are coming from Pakistan as well especially Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab. A report in Dawn newspaper stated: ¡°Lahore on Wednesday remained covered in thick and grey smog, heavily loaded with pollutants which affected the air quality.¡±
