Lesser paddy stubble burnings this year in Punjab

Even as farmers continue to burn stubble posing serious threat to the environment and health, a study has found 39 per cent reduction in paddy residue burning incidents in Punjab.
The study conducted by Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) on the request of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to ascertain the level of reduction in paddy residue burning area in the state found that there was 39 per cent reduction in such incidents, a PPCB official said today.
From October 29 till November 4, the peak period of paddy residue burning, 2,100 fire incidents were recorded in the state as against 4,509 in corresponding period last year, the official said.

As against 12,368 incidents of paddy stubble burning in 2014, the study has found 7,553 such incidents across Punjab from October 15 till November 15 this year in the state, they said.
"If we compare the latest results with that of last year, paddy stubble burning incidents has reduced and there has been a positive impact on steps taken by state government," said Brijendra Pateriya, Director of PRSC, the nodal agency catering to the geospatial needs of the state.
"But still a lot many things have to be done. The law needs to be enforced on the ground by respective agencies off the government," Pateriya said.

Researchers used satellite images of NASA to capture the paddy residue burnings in the state, besides conducting ground checks using GPS to collect data.

Ignoring warnings by state authorities, farmers in Punjab
and Haryana continue to burn paddy stubble causing the entire area getting engulfed in smog posing health-related risks.
The state authorities have been under fire for not being able to check the practice which is adversely affecting the air quality. The problem of crop residue burning assumes significance as a whopping 22 million tonne of paddy residue are being burnt every year.
The practice is also posing serious threat to human lives by way of creating medical problems such as breathing trouble, allergies and asthma attacks. Stubble burning emits smoke and toxic gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

It also affects soil health by eliminating essential nutrients, officials said, adding it is estimated that burning of one tonne rice straw accounts to loss of 5.5 kg nitrogen, 2.3 kg phosphorus, 25 kg potassium and 1.2 kg sulphur.
Officials pointed out that most of small and marginal farmers resort to paddy residue burning as it is easier, cheaper and less time consuming to rid of stubble so as to start wheat sowing.
Though the state provides subsidy on farm implements like Happy seeder, rotavators, straw reapers for managing straw in sustainable manner, farmers prefer to burn stubble.