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Stubble burning

About Stubble burning

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What is Stubble Burning ?

Stubble (parali) burning is a method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat from the last week of September to November. Stubble burning is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of grains, like paddy, wheat, etc. It is usually required in areas that use the combined harvesting method which leaves crop residue behind.
 
The process of burning farm residue is one of the major causes of air pollution in parts of north India, deteriorating the air quality.
 
Along with vehicular emissions, it affects the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital and NCR. Stubble burning by farmers in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in north India is considered a major cause of air pollution in Delhi and its adjoining regions.
 
Paddy stubble burning is practised mainly in the Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab, Haryana, and UP to clear the fields for rabi crop sowing. The paddy crop is harvested between the first and last weeks of October in Punjab and Haryana. Then, farmers sow the wheat crop from the first week of November until the middle of December.
 
The major reason behind the stubble burning is the short time available between rice harvesting and sowing of wheat as delay in sowing wheat affects the wheat crop. Between the harvesting of the paddy crop and the sowing of the next crop, there is only a two to three weeks’ time window is left.
 
The rice stubble burning is highest in the state of Punjab followed by Haryana, whereas Uttar Pradesh ranks higher in wheat stubble burning.
 
Crop residue burning is practised by the farmers to prepare the land for the next cultivation. Through this method, the remains of crops like straw which remains in the field as residue after harvesting is burned. Therefore, stubble burning is considered one of the cheapest methods to clean the field after the harvesting season.
 
Impact
 
Pollution: Stubble burning emits toxic pollutants in the atmosphere containing harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC). These pollutants disperse in the surroundings and eventually affect air quality and people's health by forming a thick blanket of smog.
 
Soil fertility: Soil becomes less fertile and its nutrients are destroyed when the husk is burned on the ground
 
Heat penetration: Stubble burning generates heat that penetrates into the soil, causing an increase in erosion, loss of useful microbes and moisture.
 

Latest Updates on Stubble burning

Most of Delhi-NCR's pollution in Oct-Nov locally created, shows study

However, the analysis showed that emissions over Punjab from burning stubbles contributed only a meagre (nearly) 14 per cent to the overall PM2.5 over Delhi-NCR during October-November 2022

Updated On: 04 Feb 2025 | 2:52 PM IST

Stubble burning: SC asks CAQM to hold meeting with Punjab, Haryana, UP

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan asked CAQM to consult the states and come out with its own views on the issue and submit suggestions by March 17

Updated On: 04 Feb 2025 | 7:09 AM IST

Delhi's PM 2.5 levels up in 2024 even after low stubble burning: CSE report

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, said the rise in PM2.5 levels cannot be seen as an annual aberration due to meteorological factors

Updated On: 06 Jan 2025 | 7:38 PM IST

UP launches initiative to curb stubble burning, promote sustainable farming

Under the campaign 2,90,208.16 quintals of straw were collected across the state and 1,55, 280.25 quintals of cow manure were distributed to farmers

Updated On: 04 Jan 2025 | 8:00 PM IST

V-P Dhankhar emphasises on need for systemic solution to stubble burning

Addressing the National Energy Conservation Day function, Dhankhar said the national capital suffers every year due to hazardous environmental conditions arising out of stubble burning

Updated On: 14 Dec 2024 | 8:01 PM IST

Punjab, Haryana impose Rs 2.3 cr penalties on farmers for stubble burning

Punjab and Haryana have imposed fines exceeding Rs 2.1 crore and Rs 21 lakh respectively, on farmers for stubble burning in 2024, with more than 50 per cent of penalties collected

Updated On: 06 Dec 2024 | 12:25 PM IST

Stubble burning among causes of Delhi pollution: Officials tell House panel

Several MPs made suggestions to promote greenery in Delhi-NCR, check vehicular emission and dissuade farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh from burning paddy straw

Updated On: 04 Dec 2024 | 11:18 PM IST

Punjab records 70% decrease in stubble burning incidents: NGT report

The NGT previously sought regular reports from the authorities in the state on the issue of air pollution caused in the NCR owing to stubble burning

Updated On: 27 Nov 2024 | 5:03 PM IST

Centre spent Rs 3,623 cr for crop residue management: Environment Minister

After Punjab, Haryana received Rs 1,081.71 crore, Uttar Pradesh was allocated Rs 763.67 crore, the NCT of Delhi Rs 6.05 crore, and ICAR Rs 83.35 crore from the total Rs 3,623.45 crore

Updated On: 26 Nov 2024 | 11:15 PM IST

Centre in SC opposes setting up ex judges panel to monitor stubble burning

he amicus said the judges had previously dealt with air pollution and stubble burning issues

Updated On: 22 Nov 2024 | 5:24 PM IST

MP HC bar association not to appear for farmers accused of stubble burning

According to news reports, Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the country in burning stubble, which is making the life of people in the northern states difficult

Updated On: 19 Nov 2024 | 10:31 PM IST

One tonne of burnt stubble causes 20 kg soil nitrogen loss, say scientists

According to ICAR scientists, stubble burning leads to the complete loss of nitrogen, while phosphorus is only slightly recoverable

Updated On: 19 Nov 2024 | 10:10 PM IST

Punjab farm fires peak as SC blasts authorities over pollution crisis

Despite reports of declining farm fires in Punjab, many now occur later in the day, possibly evading satellite detection

Updated On: 19 Nov 2024 | 10:08 AM IST

Farm fires reach five-year high in Rajasthan, Delhi; record low in Punjab

In Delhi, all reported cases were concentrated in the North and North West districts. Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category on Monday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 494

Updated On: 18 Nov 2024 | 10:35 PM IST

Delhi pollution: Blame thermal plants, not just farmers for toxic air

A research by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reveals that thermal power plants in the national capital region release 16 times more air pollutants than stubble burning

Updated On: 18 Nov 2024 | 12:25 PM IST

8,000 farm fire cases reported in Punjab in 2 months, 75% down from last yr

Sangrur district reported 50 stubble-burning incidents during the day, the highest maximum in the state, followed by 30 in Ferozepur, 17 in Barnala and 12 in Patiala

Updated On: 16 Nov 2024 | 11:35 PM IST

How Punjab farmers outwit Nasa satellites in stubble-burning crackdown

Punjab farmers have found a way to outwit Nasa satellite surveillance in the ongoing stubble-burning crisis by strategically timing their fires

Updated On: 15 Nov 2024 | 11:23 AM IST

Stubble burning in Punjab: CAQM issues show cause notice to officials

The notice sought an explanation from the officials as to why stubble-burning cases were on the rise and why the CAQM's orders to reduce air pollution had not been adhered to

Updated On: 13 Nov 2024 | 2:07 PM IST

After Supreme Court rap, Centre doubles penalty for stubble burning

The rules apply to the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, and the National Capital Region areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh

Updated On: 07 Nov 2024 | 10:52 PM IST

Central govt amends rules for stubble burning in Delhi, surrounding areas

These changes reflect the amendment to the rules governing the imposition of environmental compensation for stubble burning under the Commission for Air Quality Management

Updated On: 07 Nov 2024 | 1:35 PM IST