Environmental Implications of Rice and Wheat Stubble Burning in North-Western States of India

Abstract

The paddy and wheat cropping pattern (PWS) is one of the extensive farming systems in north-western zones of India mainly the river plains of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh. These river plains famous for extensive agricultural fields are equally defamed for burning of rice and wheat straw and stubbles by peasants after the reaping season. In India, it is reckoned that 22,289 Gg of paddy stubble biomass is generated annually and out of this, 13,915 Gg is blazed in the agricultural fields as calculated. Haryana and Punjab alone produce 48% of the whole straw production which is openly burnt in situ. The flaming of paddy stubbles causes soil nutrient loss of organic carbon (3850 million Kg), nitrogen (59 million Kg), phosphorus (20 million Kg) and potassium (34 million Kg), aside from deteriorating the ambient air quality. Burning of agricultural residue discharges various trace gases like COX, CH4, NOX, SOX and huge quantity of particulates matters (PM10 and PM2.5) which cause adverse impacts on human health. The major problems faced by the local people are eye irritation, dryness of eyes and chest congestion. It also led to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumoconiosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, cataract, corneal opacity and blindness. The cases of road accidents also enhance during the period of stubble burning due to poor visibility. It also contributes to haze, greenhouse effect and environmental changes thereto. In India, National Green Tribunal (NGT) prohibited this ancient agricultural practice of straw burning in pollution-wrecked city New Delhi and the adjacent four states viz. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. One suitable method to reduce this menace is incorporation of straw into soil which eventually enhances soil fertility. The crop residue material can also be used for compost formation as a traditional approach. Alternate energy resources can also be generated from this agro-biomass. The most prominent method to prevent this threat is to generate biomass energy. Further, in past decades, many conversion processes have been developed to produce alternate biofuels under different forms (pellets, briquettes) from crop residues. An integrated crop residue management approach is need of the hour to combat this anthropogenic disaster.