Over 600 cases of stubble burning in the last 10 days have adversely affected the air quality in the state. Officials are concerned about its impact on Covid patients since the virus attacks lungs and leads to breathing problem. Sources say if immediate steps are not taken, the smoke from Punjab would soon reach the neighbouring states and even Delhi. The air quality in Punjab deteriorated suddenly from “good” or “satisfactory” in August to “moderate” in September. An analysis of data from air quality monitoring stations in six cities shows the pollution has doubled in less than a month, with three districts recording high pollution levels soon after the paddy harvest season began. The air quality index (AQI) in Jalandhar has now risen to 89 from 50 in August; in Patiala 103 from 41; in Mandi Gobindgarh 130 from 53; in Ludhiana 80 from 50; in Khanna 94 from 51; and in Amritsar 104 from 54. The National Capital’s air quality was recorded at 170 on Tuesday, which falls in the “moderate” category. Farmers are burning stubble since they only have about four weeks to prepare fields for sowing wheat. “With farmers waging a war against the contentious farm laws, any major action against them is likely to see stiff opposition. Farmers have been demanding compensation to manage stubble, but the government did not pay any heed. We have no other option but to burn the stubble to prepare fields for the next crop.” 

Stubble Burning

Context:

• Through the various efforts under the Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the State of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh & NCT of Delhi’ the paddy residue burning events have reduced by 15% and 41% in 2018 as compared to that in 2017 and 2016, respectively in all these States as per the satellite data.
• More than 4500 villages in Punjab and Haryana have been declared as Zero Stubble Burning Villages during 2018 as not a single crop burning incident was reported from these villages during the year.

What is stubble burning?

• Stubble burning is a common practice followed by farmers to prepare fields for sowing of wheat in November as there is little time left between the harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat. 
• Stubble burning results in emission of harmful gases such carbon diaoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide along with particulate matter.

Concern of the Farmers: Why they opt for stubble burning?

• Even though farmers are aware that the burning of straw is harmful to health, they do not have alternatives for utilising them effectively.
• The farmers are ill-equipped to deal with waste because they cannot afford the new technologythat is available to handle the waste material.
• Experts say that with less income due to crop damage, farmers are likely to be inclined to light up their fields to cut costs and not spend on scientific ways of stubble management.

Advantages of stubble burning:

• It quickly clears the field and is the cheapest alternative.
• Kills weeds, including those resistant to herbicide.
• Kills slugs and other pests.
• Can reduce nitrogen tie-up.
   

What’s the issue?

• Stubble burning is adversely affecting environment and public health. The problem has not been fully tackled and the adverse impacts on the air quality and consequent impacts on the citizens’ health and lives are undisputed.

Alternative solutions that can avoid Stubble Burning:

• There is great potential for making investments in paddy straw-based power plants which can help avoid stubble burning to a large extent and also create employment opportunities.
• Incorporation of crop residues in the soil can improve soil moisture and help activate the growth of soil microorganisms for better plant growth.
• Convert the removed residues into enriched organic manure through composting.
• New opportunities for industrial use such as extraction of yeast protein can be explored through scientific research.
   

Need of the hour:

• Unless Financial assistance is to be provided by the Centre for boosting farm mechanisation, it is difficult to completely stop stubble burning.
• States needs to make alternative arrangements for consumption of paddy straw into the soil as per the directions of the NGT.

What needs to be done- Supreme Court’s observations?

• The problem is required to be resolved by taking all such measures as are possible in the interest of public health and environment protection.
• Incentives could be provided to those who are not burning the stubble and disincentives for those who continue the practice.
• The existing Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme must be so interpreted as to enable the States concerned to wholly or partly deny the benefit of MSP to those who continue to burn the crop residue.
• Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has also been directed to be present to “find a lasting solution.”
• The Central government should convene a meeting with the States