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Amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi the stubble burning continued in parts of Punjab on Wednesday.
Incidents of stubble burning were reported in a field in the Karamgarh village of Sri Muktsar Sahib. Earlier, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) took a significant step to curb stubble burning by issuing orders to ensure the imposition of revised Environmental Compensation (EC) in cases of stubble burning instances. This directive, issued on November 7, 2024, is addressed to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change press release. Pursuant to the notification of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Delhi region and adjoining areas (imposition, collection and utilization of environmental compensation for stubble burning) Amendment Rules, 2024 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change vide Notification No. G.S.R. 690(E) dated November 6, rates of EC for stubble burning have been revised. As per the changed rates as amended rules, farmers having an area of land of less than two acres who earlier paid Rs 2,500 will now have to pay Rs 5,000, the release mentioned. Farmers having an area of land of two acres or more but less than five acres who used to pay Rs 5,000 earlier will now have to pay Rs 10000 as per the amended rules. Farmers having an area of land of more than five acres who used to pay Rs 15,000 will now have to pay Rs 30,000. The revised EC rates aim to deter farmers from engaging in stubble burning, a practice that contributes significantly to air pollution in the region. Earlier today, Environmentalist Vimlendhu Jha said that it is a "very, very" alarming situation and the citizens need to be extremely cautious as the quality of air might reach severe category for several weeks due to dip in temperature. Speaking to ANI, Vimlendhu Jha said that November 13 is the 15th day when the Air Quality Index of Delhi NCR is hovering around 390 very poor category. "In some hot spots, the air quality index has already touched 400. It's a very, very alarming situation. This morning there was a blanket of smog in various parts of Delhi...There's a prediction that there might be rain by the meteorological department, and that might bring in some temporary relief. But the wind coming from north of Punjab and Haryana bringing in the smoke from the farm fires is going to have an impact with the winter setting in," he said. Similar to other days, a dense layer of smog engulfed the national capital Delhi with the Air quality dropping down to 361 categorized as 'Very Poor' on Wednesday. Residents have complained of low visibility on the roads and have also been experiencing irritation in their eyes, running nose, breathlessness and cough. AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 399, 382 in Punjabi Bagh, 376 in Ashok Vihar at 8 a.m. as per the Central Pollution Control Board. (ANI)
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