stubble burning ban india

 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.