Stubble burning in the north-west of India: Problems and potential solutions

Abstract

India, being an agriculture-based economy, generates a significant amount of agricultural waste every year. In the absence of sustainable waste management methods, a common way for the farmers to get rid of the crop residue is simply burning it on the fields; leading to air pollution especially suspended particulate matter. The annual issue of Smog over large parts of North India are attributable in large parts to these emissions. Due to the severity of the issue, in 2015, NGT (National Green Tribunal) banned the practice in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The process of burning residue is also classified as a crime under IPC and the Air and Pollution Control Act of 1981, but the implementation of the same hasn’t been very strong. This has been due to socio-political reasons as well as the practicality of thoroughly checking large and small farms especially those with sustenance agriculture practices. This paper highlights the environmental and health risks associated with stubble burning. It further discusses the steps taken by governments; and the policy and technical issues that have prevented these from being successful. The paper then presents few recommendations: both technical and policy related, that could help check the problem.