The air quality of the Delhi-NCR region is worsening as it reached the “Very Poor” category in several locations. The air quality index (AQI) crossed 301, pushing the government to deploy special teams to check for local factors contributing to worsening air quality. But, in some relief for the people of Delhi-NCR, Karnal Deputy Director of Agriculture, Dr Wazir Singh said on Monday that this year only 48 cases of stubble burning were recorded in the district. This is a good improvement from the previous year during which 140 such cases were registered.
“So far 48 cases of stubble burning from Karnal have been registered, whereas last year around 140 cases were registered. This shows that farmers and the department have shown awareness regarding stubble burning,” Dr Wazir Singh said.
Dr Wazir Singh emphasized on the efforts by the administration in educating the farmers which created awareness around sustainable agricultural practices, which helped reduce the cases of stubble burning. The Deputy Director of Agriculture also mentioned the strict use of a fine of ₹1,12,000 against defaulter farmers in Karnal.
He also stressed the need to deploy some alternative methods to stubble burning and create sustainable disposal methods.
Delhi struggles to breathe
The development comes as the Commission for Air Quality Management sub-committee on Saturday decided to invoke Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire NCR. These measures under GRAP-II include prohibiting the use of coal and wood-burning stoves, enhancing the deployment of CNG and electric buses, conducting routine road cleaning and wetting, and having traffic police personnel monitor and prevent traffic congestion to mitigate pollution levels.
According to the AQI scale, the air quality check between 0 and 50 is “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 450 “severe”.
Source : Mint