Pollution in Delhi: Stubble Burning Crisis Grows

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts
Stubble burning and weather patterns are driving a surge in pollution in Delhi. A recent study indicates a strong link between stubble fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana and deteriorating air quality in Delhi. Coordinated action from policymakers and agricultural experts is urgently needed to address these issues.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth
A recent analysis by Climate Trends revealed that fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana significantly increase during the period from September to December compared to the rest of the year. From 2019 to 2023, both states experienced fluctuations in stubble burning, with notable reductions in recent years. In Haryana, fire counts dropped from 14,122 in 2019 to 7,959 in 2023, while Punjab saw a decrease from 68,550 to 52,722 during the same period.

Despite these reductions, the months from September to December consistently show higher fire counts. This has a substantial impact on Delhi’s air quality. On days without fire incidents, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) averages 175, classified as “Moderate.” However, during the stubble burning season, the AQI rises to 233, falling under the “Poor” category.

Most alarmingly, when fire counts exceed climatological averages, Delhi’s AQI can surge to 337, placing it in the “Very Poor” category. The analysis reveals that each fire incident in Punjab and Haryana contributes to an increase of approximately 103 units in Delhi’s AQI, posing severe health risks to millions of residents in the National Capital Region.

The study also examined AQI trends in other NCR cities, including Agra, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram. All these cities showed a decline in air quality from September to December between 2019 and 2023. For instance, Agra saw a 79% decrease in “Good” AQI days, while Delhi experienced a 55% increase in “Very Poor” days.

At the district level, some areas in Haryana, such as Jhajjar and Gurgaon, saw significant increases in fire incidents, while others like Karnal and Kaithal experienced major reductions. In Punjab, districts like Gurdaspur and Muktsar showed substantial decreases in fire counts, while others reported minimal reductions or slight increases.

These findings underscore the critical need for effective fire management and prevention strategies across states. Without significant mitigation efforts, such as providing alternatives to stubble burning, the annual air quality crisis in the region is likely to persist.

As Delhi and surrounding areas continue to grapple with dangerous levels of air pollution, this study illustrates the interconnectedness of environmental issues across state boundaries. It calls for urgent, coordinated action from policymakers, agricultural experts, and environmental scientists to address the root causes of these fire incidents and protect public health in the region.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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