Farmers will now have to pay heavily for burning stubble in the fields. After the strictness of the Supreme Court, now the central government has increased the amount of fine. Air Quality Management Commission Amendment Rules-2024 will be effective in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
Under this, a farmer having less than two acres of land will have to pay environmental compensation of Rs 5000. A farmer having two acres or more but less than five acres of land will have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. A farmer having more than five acres of land will have to pay a fine of more than Rs 30,000.
Why is stubble burnt?
According to the analysis of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), pollution peaks in the city from 1 to 15 November. During this time, stubble is burnt in Punjab and Haryana. Immediately after paddy cultivation, farmers have to prepare the field for sowing wheat. Paddy is harvested with machines. Due to lack of time, farmers set fire to the stubble lying on the field. One reason for this is the huge shortage of labourers. There is also no market for stubble… where it can be sold.
Studies estimate that during the peak period of stubble burning, stubble burning contributes up to 30 percent to the PM levels in the Delhi-NCR region and surrounding areas. According to senior environmentalist Sunita Narayan, stubble burning in winter is not the primary concern for poor air quality in Delhi-NCR. Instead, other sources of pollution including transport and industries within the city are more worrying.
Chandigarh’s air is very bad
The air in Chandigarh has become very bad. The situation in Chandigarh is worse than Punjab and Haryana. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed the 300 mark. In the neighboring city of Panchkula, the AQI has reached 256. Bad air can have an adverse effect on children and the elderly.
