Problematic Stubble Burning- The Rice of the Matter

Problematic Stubble Burning- The Rice of the Matter 11 Nov 2023

Context:

  • Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has come down heavily on the adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 
Relevancy for Prelims: Stubble (parali) Burning.

Relevancy for Mains: Stubble (parali) Burning, its challenges and steps that need to be taken to rectify the issue.

About Stubble (parali) Burning:

  • It is a method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat from the last week of September to November. 
  • It is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of grains, like paddy, wheat, etc. 
  • Concern: It is one of the major causes of air pollution in parts of north India, deteriorating the air quality.
    • Along with vehicular emissions, it affects the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital and NCR. 
  • Direction by the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court has directed to stop stubble burning and find long-term solutions to this issue.

Measures available for States with Stubble Burning:

  • Diversification of Cropping Patterns: By providing subsidies and incentives for farmers to switch from paddy to alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds and millets. 
    • For example, give MSP assurances for lentils and mustard to motivate farmers to grow these instead of paddy.
  • Reduce Paddy Procurement: From those farmers burning stubble and blocks where groundwater depletion is high.
    • For instance, reduce procurement in Sangrur district of Punjab which sees rampant stubble burning.
  • Reduction of incentives for Paddy: The Food Corporation of India should make it clear that they will not pay more than 3% on top of MSP for any mandi fee and commissions for arhatias. 
  • Offer a Support Package: To shift cropping towards nutritious and sustainable options like millets.
    • For example, ensure MSP procurement for crops like jowar, bajra and ragi which have nutrition benefits.
  • Diversification of the Public Distribution System (PDS): Diversify PDS beyond rice-wheat focus by supplying millets and pulses.
    • For instance, make millets available through ration shops as done for rice and wheat currently.

Measures that Delhi need to be Focus:

  • Adoption of e-Vehicles: Accelerate the transition to electric vehicles through purchase incentives and charging infrastructure.
    • For example, provide subsidies for consumers buying EVs.
  • Reduction of Vehicular Emissions: Enforce higher ethanol blending in petrol/diesel like 20% to reduce vehicular emissions.
    • For instance, make 20% blending mandatory at all petrol pumps in Delhi.

Conclusion:

A multi-pronged strategy is needed spanning cropping pattern diversification in neighboring states, sustainable agricultural practices, pollution control in Delhi and air quality monitoring to tackle this complex problem in a comprehensive manner.

News Source: The Indian Express

 

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AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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