Home / Environment / Haryana Stubble Burning Spikes Near Diwali
Haryana Stubble Burning Spikes Near Diwali
11 Nov
Summary
- 192 paddy residue burning incidents recorded in Haryana.
- November 8 saw a peak of 80 incidents, 42% of the seasonal total.
- Kaithal district shows a 61.5% increase in burning incidents.
Haryana has recorded 192 paddy residue-burning incidents from September 15 to November 9, experiencing a sharp increase on November 8 with 80 fires, which was 42% of the seasonal total. This single-day surge occurred around Diwali and corresponded with a decline in Delhi's air quality.
While the state's overall incidents are down from last year, district-level variations are notable. Kaithal leads with 63 incidents, a 61.5% rise from the previous year. Other districts like Kurukshetra and Palwal also saw increases. In contrast, Jind reported a significant drop.
Experts suggest that factors beyond machinery availability, such as adoption rates and behavioral changes, influence these variations. Government initiatives like the 'Mera Pani Meri Virasat' scheme, promoting crop diversification through cash incentives, are also contributing to the overall reduction in farm fires.
The late-season concentration of burning incidents raises concerns about farmers having adequate time between harvesting and sowing. Solutions proposed include expediting biomass projects, supporting storage facilities, and improving communication strategies to build confidence in alternative residue management practices.
