Satellite monitoring process takes a hit due to thick smog
At 498 AQI, Rohtak was worst-affected followed by F’bad, Jind
a thick layer of smog enveloping the region, the satellite monitoring system of Haryana Space Application Centre (Harsac) found it difficult to detect the live burning spots on Saturday and Sunday, thus bringing more trouble for the authorities which have failed to put check on stubble burning.
As per the regular report by Harsac, it could detect only one live burning spot on November 2 in Panipat district.
It had detected 233 live fire spots on October 30, but the number had come down to 77 on October 31 and 52 on November 1.
Harsac director VS Arya said, “Due to thick smog and clouds, the satellite has been facing problems in detecting the live locations of fire spots for last two days. Only one spot was detected on Saturday. However, it managed to identify some spots by Sunday evening, which will be added to the report to pollution control board.”
The satellite monitoring system provides crucial support to officials of the pollution control board to take immediate action against the erring farmers soon after they get the location of the live burning spots. But now, they have to resort to conducting physical verification to keep tabs on stubble burning.
Member secretary Haryana state pollution control board S Narayanan said, “Yes, the issue has come to our notice. The satellite monitoring system was unable
Our monitoring teams are working quite actively in the field and keeping a vigil on stubble burning. S NARAYANAN, HPCB member secy
to detect live fire cases to due smog and clouds.”
“But our monitoring teams are working quite actively in the field and keeping a vigil on the stubble burning,” he added.
NO RELIEF FROM POLLUTION
Except Panchkula and Sonepat districts, the air quality index (AQI) in Haryana dipped further with most districts falling in the ‘severe’ category. Panchkula was ‘moderate’ and Sonepat was ‘poor’ in terms of AQI.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI in ‘poor’ category can lead to breathing discomfort on prolonged exposure, respiratory illness if it is in the ‘very poor’ category and cast adverse affects on healthy people and serious impacts on those with existing diseases if it dips further in the ‘severe’ category.
At 498 AQI, Rohtak remained the worst affected followed by Faridabad at 496, Jind at 491, Gurugram at 486, Manesar at 486, Fatehabad at 478, Kaithal at 467, Panipat at 465, Karnal at 456, Palwal at 453, Hisar at 445, Kurukshetra at 442, Sirsa at 432, Ambala at 403, Yamunanagar at 396 and Bhiwani at 343.
Member secretary S Narayanan said the number of stubble burning cases increased marginally from 4,341 on Saturday to about 4,396 on Sunday.
501 CASES REGISTERED AGAINST STUBBLE BURNERS
“Total 501 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered against those found burning stubble,” the HPCB member secretary said. “The state government has also announced an award of ₹1,000 for informers who tip off the authorities,” Narayanan added.
A senior official said there has been a 15% reduction in the number of stubble burning cases as compared to the corresponding period in 2018.
The area under stubble burning has also seen 34% reduction in Haryana this year as compared to the corresponding period in 2018.
Crop residue burning was reported on 57,000 hectares in 2018 as compared to only 38,000 hectares (approx) this year, an official spokesperson said.