Key Points
- Madhya Pradesh had 536 stubble burning incidents last week.
- Punjab reported 401 cases, while Haryana had 192.
- Punjab’s stubble burning has dropped significantly over the last five years.
- Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan reported 192 and 203 cases, respectively.
- Stubble burning contributes about 15% to pollution in Delhi.
Looma News
As Delhi’s air quality worsens, attention turns to stubble burning in nearby states. A recent study from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) shows that Madhya Pradesh has taken the lead in stubble burning incidents, recording 536 cases from October 19 to October 25. Traditionally, Punjab has been seen as the main contributor, but the latest data reveals it only had 401 cases during this time. Haryana did even better, with 192 reported incidents.
The rise in stubble burning in Madhya Pradesh is alarming, especially since its numbers have jumped compared to previous years. This year, 1,261 cases were noted during the same period, up from 869 last year and much higher than 291 and 210 cases in 2021 and 2022, respectively. On the other hand, Punjab has made a huge cut in stubble burning, dropping from 16,221 cases in 2020 to just 1,749 this year.
Other states are also part of the problem. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have reported higher numbers than Haryana, with 192 and 203 incidents respectively. Overall, Uttar Pradesh has registered 849 stubble burning cases between September 15 and October 25, the highest since 2020.
In Delhi, stubble burning plays a big role in air pollution, making up about 15% of the recent smog. Although air quality slightly improved over the last couple of days, forecasts suggest pollution levels might rise again, possibly hitting an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 400 by October 31, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System. The rise in stubble burning cases in Madhya Pradesh and other states is a serious challenge for managing air quality in the region.
