Despite a ban imposed by the Delhi High Court, picture taken by National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) clearly show farmers in Punjab and Haryana burning paddy stubble. As a result, Delhi and its adjoining areas are enveloped in smog, though the intensity is less this time, an official said. Based on NASA images, the Delhi Government has reviewed present scenario of air quality.
According to an official, the images on NASA’s Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)’s website show ‘fire-spots’ in Punjab and Haryana. “Despite warnings by State authorities, farmers in Punjab and Haryana continued to burn paddy straw, posing health-related risks and adversely affecting soil health in the process. To ensure that the paddy stubble was not burnt, farmers were also provided with subsidy on farm implements like happy seeders, rotavators, straw reapers for managing straw in sustainable manner,” said the official.
Environmentalists say that there is no solution as crop residue burning itself is at peak in Punjab as farmers have to sow the next crop in less than 20 days and burning is the only solution to remove the residues.
Both the Punjab and Haryana Governments have imposed a ban on burning paddy residue which could lead to prosecution of erring farmers. Burning of paddy husk mostly leads to air pollution, smog and also results in medical problems such as breathing trouble, allergies and asthma attacks.
last year, while expressing concern over the growing menace of stubble burning, the Delhi High Court had directed the Centre to ensure “zero burning” of bio-mass this year.