Karnal, Patiala being developed as model districts

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 31

Dr S. Narayanan, Member Secretary, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), has said the board has been working to tackle violations of the ban on stubble burning in the state. It has engaged the Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC) with the collaboration of ISRO to monitor stubble burning. Karnal and Patiala districts are being developed as model districts to tackle stubble burning. “Reports are being collected from each district and different departments, including agriculture, revenue and panchayati raj, are also helping in it,” he said.

Naryanan was at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) here today to chair a panel discussion on ‘stubble burning: options to address it’ organised under national innovations in a climate resilient agriculture project. Eminent scientists, policymakers and farmers from various parts of the state participated in it.

Dr Narayanan, while talking to this correspondent, said the number of stubble burning cases was high in Karnal district last year and the situation is almost the same this year as well.

“Following the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Karnal and Patiala districts are being developed as model districts for implementing the ban on stubble burning,” he said.

He added this year the cases of stubble burning have reduced. As of now, around 900 cases of stubble burning had been reported in Haryana, while last year the number was almost double. Out of 900 cases, almost one third were from Karnal.

He admitted that there was a gap between the demand and supply of stubble management equipment. He said the Agriculture Department was providing subsidy to farmers for procuring stubble management equipment.

Dr RRB Singh, Director of the NDRI, said stubble burning has emerged as an important issue as it was contributing to air pollution and affecting soil health.

Dr Samar Singh, Professor and Head, Regional Research Station (CCSHAU), Uchani, Karnal, said for every 1 kg of harvested rice, about 1.5 kg of crop residue is produced. By burning the crop residue, farmers deplete 89 per cent of nitrogen, 5.5 per cent of phosphorus, 19.9 per cent of potassium and 20.5 per cent of sulfur in soil.

He added burning of crop residue also contributed to greenhouse gases while burning of rice stubble released 70 per cent of carbon dioxide, 7 per cent of carbon monoxide, 0.66 per cent of methane and 2.1 per cent of nitrous oxide into atmosphere.