NGT directs Punjab, Haryana to keep daily tabs on stubble fires

CHANDIGARH : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the governments of Delhi and Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to set up special cells to monitor pollution caused by burning of paddy straw burning. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the problem of air pollution caused by burning of crop residue cannot be dealt with, unless effective measures are adopted.

As per the directions, monitoring cells will be set up in the office of the chief secretary.

“It may be desirable to have a special cell in the office of the chief secretary, so that the situation is reviewed on daily basis at least for the next one month, even on holidays...it is advocated that similar cells be set up at the offices of district magistrates or at such other levels as may be considered necessary by state authorities...states must finalise setting up of these cells by October 7 and the list be uploaded on their websites to encourage public participation and enhance awareness,” the NGT bench said.

The tribunal has asked Union agriculture joint secretary and agriculture secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to appear before it along with status reports on October 15.

The current month, particularly next week, is crucial as most of the paddy harvest will be done in 7-10 days from now, when farmers would resort to the burning of paddy straw as the easiest possible method to dispose of farm waste.

Last year, the number of cases of stubble fires reported in these states was over 50,000; this was an increase over 2017. However, the area that was set on fire had dropped by 10%. In the current season 290 cases of fire have been reported since September 15, when the harvest of basmati began. Government organisations mandate that 40% of area under paddy (26 lakh acre) would be set ablaze, of a total of 65 lakh acre under the crop.

A total of 200 lakh tonne paddy straw is produced.

The Centre had also started a two-year campaign for in situ (on the spot, without transportation) management of paddy straw in 2018. However, farmers, state government bodies and NGOs are not satisfied and claim that they are not confident that this would bring down the stubble to zero levels.