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Stubble Burning: New Force to Guard Against Fires
16 Feb
Summary
- Dedicated force to monitor and prevent wheat stubble burning.
- Crop residue management machines to be available via mobile app.
- Satellite monitoring highlights need for targeted wheat-season interventions.
Governments in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have received directives to manage wheat stubble burning, with support from Delhi and Rajasthan. These directives mandate mapping farms, assigning nodal officers, and ensuring timely availability of crop residue management machines through a mobile app. Small and marginal farmers will receive rent-free access to these machines via Common Health Centers. Satellite monitoring has underscored the need for focused interventions during the wheat harvesting season, complementing existing paddy-season measures.
States are tasked with creating state-specific action plans based on a framework provided by the Commission for Air Quality Management. During the wheat-harvesting season, fire incidents recorded were 10,207 in Punjab, 1,832 in Haryana, and 259 in NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh. Robust supply chains for wheat straw for various applications, including fodder, are to be established.
A dedicated Parali Protection Force, comprising police and administrative officers, will be formed at district or block levels to monitor and prevent open wheat stubble burning. District-level supply chain management plans will also be formulated to address year-round demand and supply of wheat straw.
