Maha: committee to draft action plan to reduce air pollution

Maharashtra Government has formed a committee for effective implementation of Air Pollution (Prevention And Control) Act, 1981, which is expected to focus on the practise of burning the farm stubble post-harvest, believed to be a major source of pollution.
The 14-member committee, headed by chief secretary with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board's chief as the member secretary, would be meeting every month, an official said.
A government resolution (GR) issued on December 7 had said the committee was being formed as per the directive of the National Green Tribunal.
The action plan would be given to the concerned authorities to ensure its implementation.

One of the things the committee would deal with is the common practise of burning bagasse (dry residue left after extraction of juice from sugarcane) and the stubble in the field post-harvest, which is believed to be the biggest source of air pollution in the rural areas.
Burning is supposed to improve the productivity of the land, but the committee has decided to ask farmers to desist from it, the official said.

The GR clearly states that the committee should educate farmers about better ways of disposal of stubble instead of burning it off.
Burning of stubble by farmers in neighbouring states is believed to be the main reason for the smog which enveloped the national capital post-Diwali.

The committee is also going to deal with the issue of road-sweeping. Sweeping the roads kicks up dust and pollutes the air.
The GR has permitted the committee to invite experts and researchers as per the requirement for the drafting of action plan.