Punjab and Haryana Farmers Use Strategic Timing to Evade Crop Burning Detection
Farmers in Punjab and Haryana are reportedly burning stubble at night to avoid detection by satellites and local officials who are trying to control farm fires that have been contributing to the pollution in Delhi NCR.
Official data shows a decrease in farm fire incidents this year, with nearly 21,000 reported between September 15 and November 7 in Punjab, a 30% drop from the same period last year. However, it’s suspected that many incidents go undetected, as the daily farm fire count must be updated by 8 pm, giving farmers an opportunity to burn fields after that time.
Also Read: “I take my words back, “: Nitish Kumar Apologizes Amid Controversy Over Population Control Remark
In Haryana, the Haryana Space Applications Centre uses satellite imaging with 12-hour intervals, potentially missing some fires. Some farmers believe that burning crop residue after sunset may help evade satellite detection due to temperature variation, but experts disagree.
Undetected farm fires lead to data discrepancies, which are crucial as government strategies are based on this data. The air quality issue has sparked political disputes, with the Aam Aadmi Party blaming vehicle emissions in neighboring states, while the BJP accuses Delhi’s Chief Minister of contributing to the problem.
Also Read: Shalini Talwar and her husband Honey Singh are granted a divorce by a Delhi court
The Supreme Court has intervened, urging discussions among Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan governments to find a solution, emphasizing the urgent need to address the health implications of the deteriorating air quality.
Rahul Gandhi's opinion piece appeared in a national daily and sparked political uproar. Opposition parties…
In 2022–23, poverty under the revised $3.00 line stood at just 5.25 per cent in…
Five Maoists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district,…
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the most populous country, with the fifth-largest economy, must…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has frontloaded its rate cuts to support economic growth,…
PM Narendra Modi on Saturday called for urgent global action to build infrastructure that can…