ICAR report on Stubble Burning
On 4th November, 2019, the ICAR’s Creams Laboratory bulletin stated that there has been reduction of 12% in incidents of Stubble Burning as compared to the same period in 2018.
Highlights of the report
- There were 31,402 burning events in the three states Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana as on October 1, 2019
- The state wise reduction in stubble burning as compared to 2018 is as follows
- Uttar Pradesh-48.2%
- Haryana-11.7%
- Punjab-8.7%
- The report says that the reduction is mainly due to the launch of Central Scheme “Promotional of Agricultural Mechanization of In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in Punjab, UP and Haryana and NCT of Delhi”. The main purpose of the scheme is to subsidize machinery required.
Delhi
New Delhi is worst affected due to stubble burning in the three states. This year (2019) the Air quality Index of Delhi reached 999. This is the highest recorded AQI of Delhi in its history. According to WHO norms the AQI should be under 100.
Also, the PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter) concentration was more than 80% as against 50% of the normal course.
Western Disturbances
The Stubble burning smoke reaching Delhi is greatly influenced by the Western Disturbances. When these Cyclonic circulation are strong and persistent the smoke deposited in the city decreases.
The disturbances are capable of carrying the smoke far and spread them wide when they are strong. The weakening of these disturbances lately due to global warming is also one of the reasons for the increased stubble smoke in Delhi.
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Month: Current Affairs - November, 2019