Haryana’s Stubble Burning Crisis | 15 Oct 2024

Why in News?  

Recently, a report highlights that 84% of Haryana's stubble burning cases are concentrated in just seven districts, exacerbating air pollution and environmental concerns. 

Key Points  

• Stubble Burning: 
  • 84% of Haryana’s stubble burning incidents come from seven districts. 
  • The highest contributors are Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Jind, Kurukshetra, Ambala, and Yamunanagar. 
  • These seven districts account for 1,343 of the total 1,595 farm fire incidents recorded in the current season. 
• Environmental Impact: 
  • Stubble burning is a significant contributor to air pollution in Haryana and the Delhi-NCR region. 
  • The smoke from these fires exacerbates health issues and worsens the already deteriorating air quality during the winter months. 
• Government Efforts: 
  • The Haryana government has introduced various initiatives to discourage stubble burning, including promoting alternatives like crop residue management equipment. 
  • Fines and incentives have been implemented to motivate farmers to adopt eco-friendly methods of disposing of crop stubble. 
• Challenges Faced by Farmers: 
  • Many farmers continue to burn stubble due to the high costs associated with alternative methods and the limited availability of machinery. 
  • The short window between harvesting and sowing the next crop puts pressure on farmers, leading them to opt for the quickest solution, i.e., burning the stubble. 
• Policy and Enforcement: 
  • Enforcement of anti-burning laws remains a challenge, despite penalties being in place for violators. 
  • The government has encouraged the use of Happy Seeder machines, but their adoption has been slow.