Resorting to Burning the Stubble
There are multiple factors responsible for the capital city’s grey air every winter, but one particular factor that stands out to be the most discussed is stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. If so controversial, why does it persists? After paddy is harvested in mid-October, farmers are left with a stubble of about two feet high. They have to prepare the field for the next crop in little time and resort to burning the stubble. This year we have positive news from Haryana where till November 3, incidents of stubble burning were only 2377 as compared to last year where incidents were as high as 3438. On the other hand, data from Punjab shows a bleak picture as the fire count was 3916 on a single day on November 11.