Paddy stubble burning blamed for smog

Smog has started spreading prematurely in most border areas of Punjab, including Lahore, due to the burning of paddy residues despite the ban in the province and the Indian Punjab state.

Paddy harvesting continues in Punjab and farmers set fire to the fields to cultivate the second crop on the land.

The practice not only causes air pollution but also affects the fertility of the land.

The Punjab Agriculture Department has banned the burning of all crop residues, including paddy.

Punjab Agriculture Department Director General Extension Dr Anjum Ali said the department is actively striving to prevent smog.

“Cases are being registered daily against those involved in setting fire to paddy fields,” he said. “More than 55 FIRs were registered on Friday.”

He maintained that action would be taken under secton 144 in case of the burning of paddy residue. The Smog Mitigation Cell and monitoring teams are checking the burning of paddy crop residues on a daily basis.

The official highlighted that the organic matter on the land surface is damaged because of setting the paddy crop on fire.

The farmers are advised not to set fire to crop residues but increase soil fertility by mixing them into the soil, as per Ali.

“Burning paddy residues can lead to smog. Unlike Pakistan, the situation is more dangerous in Indian Punjab and this practice is banned there as well,” he said.

“Despite this, farmers on the other side of the border are also clearing paddy fields by setting them on fire,” said Ali.

According to the avaialble data, at least 2,879 incidents of burning of paddy residue were reported in Indian Punjab between September 24 and mid-October and action has been taken against the farmers.

At least 1,386 incidents of burning of paddy residues were reported in Haryana. This has caused smog earlier than expected on both sides of the border and the air pollution is high during night.

The burning of crops and residues by farmers in India last year also caused a lot of pollution. Pakistan had also protested with the Indian government, but the same practice has resumed before the onset of winter this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2020.