Stubble Burning in Punjab: A Rising Concern Amid Escalating Air Pollution

Stubble Burning in Punjab: A Rising Concern Amid Escalating Air Pollution

VoM News Desk | November 21, 2023 | 11:36 PM IST | Climate & Environment, Punjab | Follow on Google News

Stubble Burning in Punjab: A Rising Concern Amid Escalating Air Pollution

Stubble Burning in Punjab: A Rising Concern Amid Escalating Air Pollution

Punjab has reported a significant increase in stubble burning incidents, with 513 cases recorded on a single day, bringing the total count to 35,606 since September 15. This marks a substantial rise compared to 168 and 243 farm fires reported on the same day in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

District-wise Breakdown of Farm Fires

Data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre highlights Fazilka as the district with the most incidents at 105, followed by Moga (81), Ferozepur (58), Muktsar (47), and Barnala (40). Sangrur leads the overall count with 5,565 cases of stubble burning since September 15.

Comparative Analysis: Previous Years

The state recorded a total of 70,879 and 49,526 incidents in the corresponding periods of 2021 and 2022. This year’s figures indicate a worrying trend in the practice of stubble burning, which contributes to air pollution.

Impact on Air Quality

Paddy straw burning in Punjab and Haryana is a key factor behind the alarming rise in air pollution levels in Delhi and its suburbs, particularly during October and November. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 365 at 9 am on Tuesday, categorizing it as ‘very poor’.

Air Quality Across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh

Various regions in Haryana and Punjab have also reported poor air quality, with Rohtak, Hisar, Fatehabad, Gurugram, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Sirsa, and Kaithal in Haryana and Bathinda, Mandi Gobindgarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Khanna, Patiala, Rupnagar, and Amritsar in Punjab falling in the ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’ categories. Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, recorded an AQI of 183.

The increasing frequency of stubble burning in Punjab poses a significant environmental challenge, exacerbating air pollution in the region and affecting the health of millions. The data underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address this issue and mitigate its impact on air quality.

VoM News Desk

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