According to the Central Pollution Control Board and SAFAR, a forecasting organisation under the Ministry of Earth and Sciences, Delhi’s air quality remained “severe,” with stubble burning responsible for 30% of the PM2.5 pollution in the capital. According to the most recent data from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the number of stubble burning occurrences in Punjab increased 12.59% year over year to 26,583 in the past 50 days, with a spike in these incidences occurring after Diwali.
What ‘Farm Fire’ is actually about?
Many farmers throughout the world burn cultivated fields to remove garbage, weeds, and stubble before planting a fresh crop. This method, while quick and affordable, is very unsustainable since it depletes soil fertility and generates enormous amounts of the particulate pollutant black carbon. Although many farmers are aware of the dangers of open burning, they lack the resources and expertise necessary to switch to more sustainable methods. The Agriculture Initiative of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition funds regional networks and initiatives that promote the use of open-burning substitutes. These “no burn” techniques have the potential to cut black carbon emissions in half, while also benefiting farmers economically and socially.
Black carbon is a brief climate contaminant that makes a significant contribution to air pollution, climate change, and doubled melting in the cryosphere. Open burning is the single most significant source of black carbon, accounting for more than a third of all black carbon emissions (regions of snow and ice). In addition, open burning ranks second after cook stoves in terms of the diseases and fatalities brought on by air pollution.
How ‘Farm Fire’ is contributing to 38% of Delhi’s severe pollution?
On November 3 morning, roaring farm fires and sluggish circumstances at night caused Delhi’s air quality to return to the “severe” category. The total air quality index was 419 at nine in the morning. Noida, which is along the route of pollutants being transferred from burning savanna, has the worst air pollution. An AQI (air quality index) of 400 or higher is deemed “severe,” and it can have an adverse effect on both healthy individuals and those who already suffer from illnesses.
Punjab reported 3,634 farm fires on November 2, the most this season so far, although their contribution to Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution was only 12% because of unfavourable wind speed for conveyance. Farm fires occurred 1,842 times on Tuesday, 2,131 times on Monday, 1,761 times on Sunday, 1,898 times on Saturday, and 2,067 times on Friday.
Kejriwal’s take on Delhi’s pollution
Kejriwal has previously stated that the capital’s building projects have been put on hold due to the worsening air quality. “Due to pollution, construction has been halted throughout Delhi. During this time when construction activities are prohibited, I have instructed Labour Minister Sh Manish Sisodia to provide each construction worker with Rs 5000 per week in cash support.”