Stubble Burning In Punjab Persists Despite Supreme Court's Directions, Delhi's AQI 'Severe'

Despite the Supreme Court's directives to Punjab to stop stubble burning, thousands of incidents were reported from the agrarian state on Wednesday, with Sangrur, the birthplace of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, recording the highest number of cases.

The apex court had directed Punjab to take immediate measures to curb stubble burning, which is blamed for exacerbating air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Despite the court's intervention, the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab has remained high. According to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, the state has reported a total of 22,981 stubble-burning incidents so far this year, with 2,003 new incidents reported on Wednesday.

Of the total incidents, Sangrur recorded the highest number at 466, followed by Bathinda (221), Barnala (216), Faridkot (150), Mansa (131), Patiala (106), Ferozepur (103), and Ludhiana (96).

The Supreme Court had also directed the local station house officers (SHOs) to be held responsible for stopping stubble burning. However, the number of farm fires has remained largely unchanged.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav has ordered police officers to work in tandem with civil administration to prevent stubble burning. However, the implementation of these measures on the ground has been limited.

Adarshpal Vig, Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), has claimed that there has been a 31% drop in stubble-burning incidents compared to last year, reported News18. However, this claim is disputed by some experts who argue that the numbers are still too high.

The persistence of stubble burning in Punjab is a major challenge for the state and for the country as a whole. The government needs to implement stricter measures to curb the practice and to provide farmers with alternative methods of crop residue disposal.

Delhi's Pollution Crisis

The Delhi government has taken a proactive stance to address the persistent air pollution crisis in the city. In a bid to ensure strict implementation of anti-pollution measures, Environment Minister Gopal Rai has instructed all ministers to work at the ground level and conduct regular inspections.

Rai expressed concern over the negligence of officers in adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a comprehensive plan devised by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to tackle air pollution.

To address this issue and ensure the effectiveness of anti-pollution measures, Rai has mandated all ministers to actively engage in monitoring and enforcement efforts. This on-ground approach aims to identify and address any shortcomings in the implementation of pollution control initiatives.

In addition to the ministerial oversight, the Delhi government is exploring innovative solutions to combat air pollution. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has proposed the use of cloud seeding to induce artificial rain, aiming to disperse the smog and improve air quality.

Bharadwaj has stated that a meeting was held with experts from IIT Kanpur to discuss the feasibility of cloud seeding as a potential solution for Delhi's air emergency. He further indicated that the government plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the experts and present the proposal before the court for approval.

The Delhi government's efforts to address air pollution reflect a commitment to improving the health and well-being of its citizens. By implementing stricter measures, enhancing oversight, and exploring innovative solutions, the government aims to create a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents.

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