पराली

With the increase in the amount of stubble burning across Punjab, most of the villages of the state also have haze. This year the total number of incidents in Punjab has touched the figure of 1,027.

Paddy harvesting has started in all the states of India. Like every year, this year also incidents of burning straw are being seen in Punjab. However, there has been a significant increase in cases of stubble burning this year. As a result, there is a haze situation in most villages of the state. According to the report of Tribune India, the cases of field fires in this season are much higher than the last two years. This is raising questions on spending crores of rupees to ban the burning of crop residues by the government. It is to be known that 58 cases of stubble burning have been filed in Punjab on Monday. With this, the total number of incidents has reached the four digits of 1,027 this year.

Increase in cases of stubble burning

Significantly, till date, excessive incidents of field fires in Punjab were being recorded from the border areas. At present, farmers in Malwa region have started burning paddy straw. Its effect will also be seen on the air quality of Punjab and Delhi. According to data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Center (PRSC), 58 stubble burning incidents in the state were captured by a satellite on 9 October. At the same time, in 2021, 114 stubble burning incidents were recorded on the same day. Also, three such cases were reported in 2022.

Also read: Central government takes necessary steps for stubble management, 600 crores given to three states

Incidents of stubble burning broke the record of the last two years

The matter of concern is that the total number of this year 1027 is much higher than the related data for the last two years. During 2022 and 2021, Punjab had 714 and 614 incidents respectively till 9 October. Indeed, the cases till date are 43.8% higher than the previous year and 67% more than 2021 figures (till 9 October). Overall, in 2022, 49,900 fields were reported to be fired. 71,304 in 2021; 76,590 in 2020; And 52,991 incidents were reported in 2019.

Possibility of increase in cases of stubble burning - Agriculture Department

An official of the Agriculture Department says that "farmers in Sangrur, Patiala and Ludhiana have started harvesting crops and in these three districts, the field fire will increase considerably by next week." Experts say that "nothing special can be done, as the farmers are adamant on compensation of Rs 2,500 per acre. However, the government has not agreed at all. ” Also, the Amritsar administration has imposed a fine of Rs 6.97 lakh on 279 people for burning stubble.

 As you know, currently the paddy harvesting season is going on. Every year the governments of Punjab and Haryana talk about imposing strictness on farmers and stopping them from burning stubble. But, in reality, farmers are continuously busy burning stubble. For this reason, due to the pollution being spread due to stubble burning, the AQI i.e. Air Quality Index of Delhi-NCR is continuously increasing towards dangerous levels. Like previous years, the threat of stubble has started increasing in the states of Punjab and Haryana this year too. Let us tell you that despite the strictness of the governments of both the states, farmers are seen burning stubble in the open fields. The smoke rising due to stubble burning is proving fatal for the breathing of the people of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR. The monitoring done by CPCB in Delhi-NCR has reported an average AQI of 263. Because of this, people are at risk of serious diseases.

Stubble is being continuously set on fire in the states of Punjab and Haryana. As the paddy harvesting season is progressing, the cases of stubble burning are also increasing continuously. Due to the smoke and pollution generated by stubble burning, the AQI of many cities of Haryana including Delhi-NCR has reached very poor levels.

Stubble is being burnt without fear in Punjab

Even though it is being claimed that the cases of stubble burning are decreasing in the state of Punjab, the process of openly burning stubble is also continuing. In Derabassi around Chandigarh, stubble was seen burning openly on the side of the highway. Today, if you pass through any national highway in Punjab and Haryana, you will see burnt-black fields on the side of the road. Where the stubble will be seen completely reduced to ashes, farmers cleverly set fire to the stubble in their fields and then leave their fields, so that no legal action can be taken against them.

Also read: Haryana government plans to save environment from residues like stubble etc.

In Haryana, conscious farmers are managing stubble properly.

For your information, let us tell you that there are farmers who believe in managing the stubble instead of burning it. In Naggal village of Panchkula, farmers were seen using the stubble as fertilizer in the fields and directly sowing wheat seeds through a Super Seeder machine. These farmers say that the farmers who can buy expensive machines are the ones who manage the stubble. But, small and marginal farmers have no option other than burning the stubble.

What complaints do farmers have against the government?

In Mankaiya village of Panchkula, some farmers are making heaps of stubble after traditionally harvesting the paddy crop. But, they also complain that instead of employing laborers, they are managing the stubble to burn it. But, they have neither received any assistance nor been given any kind of grant from the government. They have to manage the stubble at their own expense.

Also read: Farmers became aware of the pollution caused by stubble, the percentage of cases reduced in these states

Cases have decreased significantly from before

There has been a decline in the cases of stubble burning in Punjab this year as compared to last year. So far, incidents of stubble burning have been reported at 1764 places in the state. These figures are the lowest in the last 2 years. In the same period, 4327 cases were registered so far in 2021 and 3114 cases in 2022. If we talk about Haryana state, 714 cases of stubble burning have been reported this season. However, if compared to last year, 893 cases had been reported so far last year. If the government of Haryana-Punjab states makes the farmers fully aware and provides them resources, then the challenge of stubble can be rid of. Let us tell you that the recorded AQI of some cities of Haryana is frightening. 255 air quality index was recorded in Karnal-243, Rohtak-182, Jind-155, Faridabad-322, Bahadurgarh-284, Kaithal-269, Kurukshetra-256 and Gurugram.

Farmers can adopt the methods given here instead of burning stubble. Along with stopping the pollution caused by stubble burning, farmer brothers will also get benefits. Pollution levels have increased significantly in many cities including Delhi NCR. Stubble is also one of the reasons behind the increase in pollution levels these days. But, let us know what farmers can do with stubble instead of burning it. Farmers of various states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab cultivate wheat after paddy. Apart from this, he also cultivates other crops, for which a lot of field preparation is required. Due to this, farmers burn the paddy stalks or stubble left in the fields after harvesting the crop. Farmer brothers burn the stubble to clean the crop residues and prepare the fields for re-sowing.

What is a Mulcher Machine?

There are many machines in site management, among which the mulcher is the first. Apart from controlling residue in paddy crops, mulcher is also an effective agricultural tool. This machine cuts the crop residue into small pieces with the help of a tractor with its blade. Management of paddy crop residues is also done very easily. One should not burn it after using it. Mixing paddy straw with the soil is an effective and efficient solution to maintain the soil and increase its fertility. For example, plowing straw into the soil using a lot of tillage equipment accelerates its breakdown. Also, the structure of the soil is quite spectacular. 

Also read: Mulcher machine is the lifeline of the land.

The government provides grants for stubble management.

Instead of disposal of paddy straws, other options can also be considered. It can be used as fodder for animals. Especially when it is harvested or processed. Many of the governments are making a lot of regulations to encourage straw management. Providing grants for adopting environment-friendly methods or buying machines.

As you all know, the Supreme Court has expressed its displeasure over the stubble burning in Punjab despite the court's order. "Why should the farmers who are burning stubble get any financial benefit, those who have burnt stubble and are red-flagged should be denied the benefits of minimum support price, besides registration of FIR and imposition of fine on them," the court said. The government should do something for their welfare.

Governments should stop blaming each other. SC 

"When Haryana can do it, why can't Punjab," the court said while commenting on the Punjab government's attitude in preventing stubble burning. The court asked the Punjab government to inform it on the next date how many farmers have been fined for stubble burning and how much of it has been recovered. The court said there should be no politics over the issue. One should not blame or compare one with the other. The Centre and the state should forget politics and find a long-term solution. These observations, suggestions and orders were made by a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia while hearing a matter on air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

Whats the punjab take on this ?

Punjab has said that stubble burning has reduced significantly as compared to the past. A total of 984 FIRs have been registered. He has also been fined Rs two lakh. Flying squads have been deployed to prevent stubble burning in the fields. But, people do not allow them to reach, the road is blocked. Law and order is also a problem. To this, the bench said, "The SHO has been made responsible in the order. You can't talk about law and order. To this, Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, referred to the Centre's status report and said Punjab had paid only 6621 environmental compensation. In Punjab, 3415 challans, Rs. 86.8 lakh fine and 473 FIRs have been registered.

NGT had pulled the legs of the Punjab government regarding pollution and stubble burning. NGT  had criticised the state government for failing in following the orders of supreme court to immediately stop the burning of stubble.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Punjab and Haryana government to prepare a roadmap to reduce stubble burning cases in 2024. Tribunal commented that “you will forget about all this and next year you'll again burn stubble”. NGT had directed states to prepare a time-bound plan ( action plan) along with different preventive steps for the upcoming year. For the stance on Delhi pollution, the Tribunal scolded aur quality management commission just to implement and debard the GRAP. NGT stated that CAQM is working on its own. What is the work of CAQM? They just cancel and implement GRAP. They are never present in 90% of their committee meetings.

NGT showed disappointment regarding increasing cases of stubble burning. 

NGT enquired Punjab government before this about increasing cases of pollution and burning of stubble. NGT  had criticised the state government for failing in following the orders of supreme court to immediately stop the burning of stubble. The NGT showed disappointment to the Punjab government for not taking necessary steps to prevent stubble burning. 

NGT stated government responsible for stubble burning 

NGT stated it as the ‘complete failure of management’ and said, “ at the time when issue was raised, stubble burning cases were around 600 and now it has increased to a number of 33,000 cases, even on the facts that NGT and supreme court discussing over this and you are telling that you are taking actions”. NGT stated that ‘this is a complete failure of management’. The whole system is working and you failed. 

NGT enquired Punjab advocates 

NGT also called on the Punjab government to play a ‘ selective role in charging trials on violators’. Because the Punjab advocate said that he filed an FIR against only 829 people out of 1500 for burning stubble in one day. This is only one-fourth of the one day cases. NGT on this stated to the Punjab government that why similar actions are not to be taken against all of them? Meanwhile, in the increase in the level of Delhi pollution, the supreme court clearly directed haryana, uttar pradesh, rajasthan and Punjab on 7 November that burning agricultural remains should be immediately stopped and we can't let people die out of pollution. 

Pusa agricultural scientists have put an advisory for the farming of wheat in rabi season. In which they pointed out that those farmers with 21-25 days wheat crops should go with first irrigation within the upcoming 5 days.  After 3-4 days of irrigation, second fertilisers should be put in. According to agricultural scientists, considering the temperature, farmers are advised to sow the late wheat crops as soon as possible. Sowing rates to be kept 125 kilograms of seeds per hectare. It's advanced species are HD 3059, HD 3237, HD 3271, HD 3369, HD 3117, WR 544 and PBW 373.

Must do seed treatment 

Before sowing seeds should be treated with bavistin @1.0 gram or thiram @2.0 gram per hectare. For your knowledge, in farms infected with termites, chlorpyrifos (20 ec) @5.0 litres per hectare should be spread with paleva or in dry farms. The amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilisers to be kept is 80, 40 and 40 kilograms per hectare. 

Rarefaction of mustard crops must be done on priority.

Weed control and rarefaction should be done in lately sown mustard crops. Considering fall in average temperature, mustard crops should specially be taken care of for white rust disease. Rotten/fermented dung and potash fertilisers must be used before sowing onion crops in prepared farms in this season. Potatoes and tomatoes are more prone to blight disease because of heavy moisture in the air. That's why, look carefully for crops. In case of symptoms, spray 2gram dithane-M-45 in per litre of Water. 

Farmers should check regularly for leaf feeding insects 

For your interest, farmers who have prepared a nursery of tomato, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. They can show their plants considering the weather. Cauliflower and cabbage family plants should specially be taken care of leaf feeding insects. If they are in large numbers, then spray BT @1 gram per litre of water or sponosade medicine @1.0 ml per 3 litres of water. In this weather, farmers must get rid of weeds with the help of weeding-hoeing practice. Vegetable crops should be irrigated and then fertilisers should be put in.

How farmers should manage stubble remains 

Farmers are advised not to burn the remains (stubble) of kharif crops(paddy). This results in polluting the environment too much. The smog produced by this does not allow complete sunlight to reach crops and farms. It affects the photosynthesis and evaporation in plants which leads to low food production in plants. It also affects the amount of produce and quality of produce. Farmers are advised to mix or dig the remaining paddy stubble in soil, it increases the fertility of soil.