Following a reprimand from the Supreme Court, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has granted authority to district officials, including District Magistrates in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and NCR regions of Rajasthan, to take action against personnel for failing to enforce stubble burning regulations.
The CAQM order, aimed at mitigating pollution from stubble burning as winter approaches, empowers Deputy Commissioners, District Collectors, and District Magistrates to prosecute those neglecting their responsibilities in tackling this urgent matter.
The commission has urged district administrations and state governments to enhance vigilance during the harvest season and has deployed 26 central teams to Punjab and Haryana. Additionally, a specialized paddy stubble management cell has been established for coordinated efforts and oversight.
The CAQM reported 267 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and 187 in Haryana between September 15 and October 9, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance from district authorities.
“To address the current situation and ensure effective execution of action plans at the local level, the CAQM has authorized deputy commissioners, district collectors, and district magistrates in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and NCR areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to file complaints or initiate prosecutions before the relevant judicial magistrate if officials, including nodal and supervisory officers, fail to enforce measures against stubble burning,” stated the commission.
On September 27, a bench of the Supreme Court criticized the CAQM for not imposing penalties under Section 14 of the CAQM Act regarding stubble burning, pointing out that without such actions, directives against farm fires would lack effectiveness.
“If no penal actions are taken under Section 14, prohibitive measures against farm fires will remain ineffective,” the Supreme Court noted.
The court also highlighted that the commission had issued only 82 directives over three years. Section 14 stipulates that any non-compliance with the Act or its rules is an offence punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine up to Rs 1 crore, or both.
In an affidavit to the Supreme Court, the commission reported a 49% decrease in stubble burning incidents in Punjab from 71,304 in 2021 to 36,663 in 2023, while Haryana saw farm fires drop from 6,987 to 2,303 during the same period.
The CAQM has further instructed district administrations and state governments to take greater responsibility and maintain strict vigilance to prevent further stubble burning during the harvest season.
Harmful Effects of Stubble Burning on Environment and Health
According to various studies, stubble burning poses significant threats to both the environment and human health through several harmful effects:
- Air Pollution: The practice releases harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, methane, and volatile organic compounds. These emissions contribute to respiratory diseases, including asthma and bronchitis.
- Soil Degradation: Burning stubble destroys essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that would naturally enrich the soil. This depletion forces farmers to rely on fertilizers to restore these nutrients.
- Crop Damage: Stubble burning can harm crops by producing ground-level ozone, which disrupts plant metabolism and damages leaves, ultimately reducing agricultural productivity.
- Melting Glaciers: Research has linked air pollution from stubble burning to the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers, further impacting the environment.
Overall, stubble burning has far-reaching consequences that threaten air quality, soil health, crop yields, and climate stability.
