Punjab: Stubble Burning Chokes Air, Raises Health Concerns
Stubble burning in Punjab has become a major cause for concern as air pollution levels in the region have risen sharply in recent days.
Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to crop residues, such as rice straw, after harvesting. It is a common practice in Punjab and other agricultural states in India, as it helps farmers to clear their fields quickly and prepare for the next sowing season.
However, stubble burning has a number of adverse consequences. It releases harmful pollutants into the air, which can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory infections, asthma, and heart disease. Stubble burning also contributes to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Cause of increase in Stubble Burning
Technology- Earlier, farmers used to pull out (by hand) the entire crop with roots from the field. Due to this practice there was negligible amount of stubble left in the field. However, now farmers use mechanized machines to harvest crops, which leaves several inches of stubble in the fields. Thus, leaving a sizeable amount of waste in the form of stubble in the field.
The Punjab government has taken a number of steps to discourage stubble burning, such as providing farmers with subsidies for machinery that can help them to dispose of crop residues without burning them.
However, the practice of stubble burning continues to be rampant in the state. In recent days, air pollution levels in Punjab have risen sharply due to stubble burning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several cities in Punjab has been in the “severe” category.
The high levels of air pollution have caused a number of health problems for people in Punjab. Schools in the state have been closed, and people have been advised to avoid going outdoors.
The Punjab government has appealed to farmers to stop burning stubble. However, it remains to be seen whether the government’s measures will be effective in reducing stubble burning in the state.
Impact of stubble burning
- Health
Stubble burning releases a number of harmful pollutants into the air, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide leading to creation of smog. These pollutants can cause a variety of health problems, including:
- Respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia
- Asthma
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Stroke
- Birth defects
Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of stubble burning.
2. Soil Health
Burning husk on ground destroys the nutrients of the soil, thus making it infertile and unsuitable for the next crop. This is turn forces the farmers to use more chemical fertilizers and pesticides to improve crop yield.
Excessive use of such chemical fertilizers further destroys soil health. Thus, forms a vicious cycle which ultimately makes the field infertile.
3. Heat Penetration
Stubble burning causes the heat to be trapped in the soil leading to loss of moisture and also leads to killing of useful and essential microbes.
What can be done to reduce stubble burning?
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce stubble burning, including:
- Use of Pusa Decomposer- This decomposer is made in a form of capsules by extracting certain fungi strains which will help in faster decomposition of this stubble. The fungi strains help in production of enzymes which in turn helps the decomposition process.
- The government needs to provide subsidies to farmers to increase the adoption of Pusa Decomposer along with raising awareness regarding its benefits.
- Providing farmers with subsidies for machinery that can help them to dispose of crop residues without burning them
- Educating farmers about the harmful effects of stubble burning
- Promoting sustainable agricultural practices
- Enforcing laws against stubble burning
It is important to note that there is no quick fix to the problem of stubble burning. It will require a concerted effort from the government, farmers, and the public to reduce this harmful practice.
