₹100crore project to tackle crop burning gets green ministry nod
Over 50,000 cases were reported from Punjab and Haryana this kharif season
NEW DELHI: The Union environment ministry on Thursday approved a ₹100-crore project to tackle crop burning in northern states, a phenomenon that purportedly escalates pollution in the national capital region during winter months.
The project will receive funding under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), leveraging about three times the approved amount from states and farmers.
A release from the environment ministry blamed growing mechanisation, declining livestock and lack of a feasible alternative in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan for the growing problem of crop burning. Over 50,000 cases were reported from Punjab and Haryana this kharif season.
“Crop burning not only causes global warming but also has an adverse impact on air purity, soil quality and human health,” the release said.
The regional project will be implemented in a phased manner, starting with awareness and capacity building activities. It will also facilitate the adoption of technological solutions to dispose of crop residue in an eco-friendly manner.
“The scope will be enhanced, with more activities being undertaken on the basis of progress achieved in the first phase,” said environment secretary CK Mishra.
The Centre established the
ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY BLAMES GROWING MECHANISATION, DECLINING LIVESTOCK AND LACK OF FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES IN NORTHERN STATES FOR CROP BURNING ISSUE
NAFCC in 2015 to fund projects aimed at helping communities adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
It had a budgetary provision of ₹350 crore for 2015-16 and 2016-17, and ₹181.5 crore for 2017-18.
In a report tabled in Parliament this month, the comptroller and auditor general criticised the government for channelling funds from the clean energy cess – meant for research and development on clean energy technologies – to the Consolidated Fund of India for other projects.
Although amount of nearly ₹54,000 crore was collected as clean energy cess between 2010-11 and 2016-17, only 15,483.21 crore (28.69%) was transferred to the national clean energy fund.
The government – in a separate submission – estimated that meeting its Paris climate agreement goals would cost as much as $2.5 trillion.
It further held that the United States’ decision to withdraw from the treaty would affect the availability of international climate change finance.
‘SET DEADLINES TO IMPLEMENT PLAN TO FIGHT POLLUTION’
The ministry of environment has asked Delhi and other NCR states to submit their suggestions on the deadlines by which they can enforce various measures stated in the Comprehensive Action. The plan aims to cut down pollution levels in Delhincr by around 70% by introducing various measures. Each measure has to be enforced within a specific deadline mentioned in the plan.
The SC had directed the Union environment ministry to notify the Comprehensive Action Plan. A meeting in this regard was held by the environment secretary with various stakeholders and Environment Pollution Authority.