Rohit Shishodia
Stubble burning, which is considered to be one of the main causes of air pollution in Delhi-NCR, has reduced by 41% in 2018 as compared to 2016. This has been stated by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) & Director General, ICAR.

Dr Mohapatra added that through the various efforts under the Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi’,  the paddy residue burning events have reduced by 15% and 41% in 2018 as compared to that in 2017 and 2016.

He said that more than 4500 villages in Punjab and Haryana were declared as Zero Stubble Burning Villages during 2018 as not a single crop burning incident was reported from these villages during the year. Dr Mohapatra further said that India has demonstrated through coordinated public and private efforts that such challenges can be addressed effectively.

It may be noted that stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab takes place around the month of October. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal often blames stubble burning for causing pollution in Delhi.