stubble burning

 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.

Law graduate Harinderjit Singh Gill, resident of Noorpur in Ludhiana district of Punjab state, has earned more than Rs 31 lakh from the management of paddy straw in the district. At the same time, he has set an example for the farmers around him. As soon as paddy harvesting begins, the problem of stubble becomes a big challenge for both the farmers and the government. Every day farmers burn stubble in the fields. Also, a case is filed against them. Not only this, they also have to pay compensation to the farmers for this. But, amidst all this, law graduate Harinderjit Singh Gill, resident of Noorpur in Ludhiana district of Punjab, earned more than Rs 31 lakh from the management of paddy straw in the district.

 This has set an example for the farmers around him and has also shown them the path to income. The farmers who are still  burning stubble. According to media reports, while speaking, the progressive farmer said that he had purchased a second-hand square baler worth Rs 5 lakh and 5 bales to bale approximately 17,000 quintals of paddy straw left in his fields after harvesting the paddy this season.

Earned Rs 31.45 lakh from paddy straw.

The farmer says, “I earned Rs 31.45 lakh from paddy straw by selling it to paper mills at Rs 185 per quintal. Encouraged by his successful stubble management, the 45-year-old farmer has now drawn up plans to further expand his stubble management business. The cost of one baler and two trolleys was Rs 11 lakh. After covering all the expenses he has earned a net profit of Rs 20.45 lakh.

Also read: Due to increased stubble burning, air in many cities has became polluted

Gill bought another round baler with two rakes worth Rs 40 lakh and a square baler with rake worth Rs 17 lakh to further expand his stubble management business, saying, “Apart from this, I have, the baler and two trolleys.” He said, “Now, we are planning to make 500 tonnes of round bales and 400 tonnes of square bales with the help of two square balers.”

How many acres of land does successful farmer Harinder Gill own? 

At present Gill cultivates 52 acres of land, out of which he cultivated paddy in 30 acres. At the same time, guava and pear orchards were established in 10 acres. Apart from this, poplar saplings were established in the remaining 12 acres. 

Happy seeder is used for growing wheat 

He said, “I have not burnt paddy or wheat stubble for the last seven years and am using Happy Seeder for sowing wheat. The farmer further said “Crop production has increased since they stopped burning stubble in the fields. This year he has achieved a yield of 900 quintals of paddy from his 30 acres of land. Seeing me doing this for the last two years, most of the farmers in my village and surrounding areas have also started adopting the same practice.

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.