Crop residue burning is a technique used by the farmers for the preparation of land for next cultivation. Through this technique the remaining of crops like straw which remains in the field as residue after harvesting is burned. It’s an air pollution issue and concern for every one as this kind of practice by the farmers emits lots of handful gases in the air. Crop residue burning practice is common in almost every states of India. One can find such practice in Chhattisgarh too. Stubble burning is considered to be the cheapest methods for cleaning the field after harvesting. Though it’s a cheap practice but its impact is hazardous in nature and the most important concern for all is to stop such practice and to prevent air pollution.
The smoke which is released from crop residue burning is a mixture of particles and chemicals produced by incomplete burning of carbon-containing materials and this is one of the reasons for many air born diseases like Asthma. All smoke contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and particulate matter or soot which is very harmful. Even Section 19(5) of The Air (Prevention And Control Of Pollution) Act, 1981 states that “If the State Government after consultation with the State Board, is of opinion that the burning of any material (not being fuel) in any air pollution control area or part thereof may cause or is likely to cause air pollution, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, prohibit the burning of such material in such area or part thereof”.
Now the question which comes here is that from various surveys and from images issued by NASA it’s cleared that in many states of India, Crop residue burning is practiced by the farmers which shows that either the Government is Silent or is unable to stop such practiced. Through this paper researcher will discussed about the impact and solution of stubble burning.
Keywords: Smoke, Stubble Burning, Air Pollutant, Hazardous, NASA
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION:
2. IMPACT OF STUBBLE BURNING:
3. FAILURE OF IMPLICATION OF LAW:
4. SUGGESTION/SOLUTIONS:
5. CONCLUSION:
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the environmental and socio-legal implications of stubble burning in India, analyzing why current legislative efforts have failed to curb the practice and proposing sustainable solutions to protect soil health and air quality.
- The environmental hazards caused by crop residue burning.
- The legislative framework and the failure of current policy enforcement.
- The socio-economic drivers behind farmers' reliance on stubble burning.
- The critical importance of farmer literacy and awareness programs.
- Potential alternatives, including industrial utilization and government-led residue management.
Excerpt from the Book
2. IMPACT OF STUBBLE BURNING:
Crop stubble burning is one of the contributors for causing air pollution which emits GREEN HOUSE gas in air. Every year farmers in Punjab burn about 7 to 8 million metric tons of crop residues after the winter rice. Even in other parts of India also one can find such practice too. Thresher machine are used to thresh the paddy field after cultivation after which husk is left behind. After that, the entire paddy grain will be surrounded with husk. At the time of crushing of paddy more than maximum percent of the total production is received as rice, broken rice and bran and the rest percentage which is near about 20- 30 % is husk. Farmers who used thrashers machine over hand reaping leaves husk in the field. So removing husk from the field is gain a tough task for the farmers because government didn’t provide husk collecting machines to farmers in subsidies rates. So the best way for the farmers is to collect husk and set it to fire for preparing the land for next cultivation. But they don’t know the harmful effects of burning husk on ground. Open burning of husk produces harmful smoke that causes air pollution. Open burning of husk is a kind of incomplete combustion in nature. Hence large amount of toxic pollutants are emitted in the atmosphere.
Chapter Summaries
1. INTRODUCTION: Discusses the seasonal cultivation of rice in India and identifies stubble burning as the prevalent method used by farmers to clear land for subsequent crop cycles.
2. IMPACT OF STUBBLE BURNING: Details the environmental damage caused by burning husk, including the emission of greenhouse gases, the degradation of soil fertility, and the associated health risks for the population.
3. FAILURE OF IMPLICATION OF LAW: Analyzes the ineffectiveness of existing legal prohibitions and government policies, highlighting that financial constraints and lack of awareness among farmers perpetuate the illegal practice.
4. SUGGESTION/SOLUTIONS: Proposes actionable alternatives such as providing subsidized machinery, creating job opportunities for residue removal, and utilizing husk in industrial applications like bio-mass energy.
5. CONCLUSION: Argues that punitive measures are insufficient and calls for a holistic approach centered on farmer education to address the root causes of stubble burning.
Keywords
Stubble Burning, Air Pollution, Agriculture, India, Crop Residue, Soil Nutrients, Environmental Law, Sustainability, Public Awareness, Illiteracy, Greenhouse Gas, Sustainable Farming
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the practice of stubble burning in India, evaluating its environmental impact and the reasons why legislative measures have failed to effectively stop it.
What are the primary themes discussed in this study?
The study covers the environmental hazards of smoke, the socio-economic challenges faced by Indian farmers, the limitations of current legal frameworks, and potential technological or industrial solutions.
What is the central research question?
The research explores why, despite existing laws and regulations, the practice of crop residue burning continues, and what solutions could realistically address this issue.
Which scientific or legal methods are utilized in this work?
The research employs a socio-legal approach, reviewing government policies, judicial decisions like M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India, and environmental impact data to assess the problem.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the introduction to crop residue issues, the specific physical and chemical impacts of burning, the failure of legal implementation, and suggested alternatives for residue management.
Which keywords define the scope of this paper?
Key terms include Stubble Burning, Air Pollution, Agriculture, Sustainability, Environmental Law, and Public Awareness.
How does the author explain the persistence of stubble burning?
The author identifies a cycle of poverty and illiteracy as major factors, noting that farmers lack both the financial means to purchase non-burning equipment and the awareness of the long-term damage caused to their soil.
What role does government policy play in this crisis?
The government has established policies and allocated funds for agriculture mechanization; however, the author argues these efforts are currently insufficient and lack the necessary grassroots implementation to change farmer behavior.
- Citation du texte
- Pyali Chatterjee (Auteur), 2018, Impact of Practice of Stubble Burning in Environment. A Socio Legal Study, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/437147
