Stubble Burning in India: Environmental Concern and Alternative Tools

Abstract

India is recognized as the world's second-largest agro-based economy. With 20% of the world's total rice production, India ranks second in the world behind China. Farmers in northern India, including Punjab, Haryana, and other regions, frequently burn any leftover stubble or straw in their fields after the grain harvest. So as to decrease the quantity of agricultural waste, farmers carry out this clearing technique (Parali burning) to get the fields ready for the next planting season. In India as well as other countries throughout the world, crop residue burning is an alarming issue. Every year, throughout the months of September and October, the Delhi and its nearby areas witness significant air pollution due to stubble burning after rice harvesting, which leads to chaos. Despite implementing numerous significant steps, both the Central and Delhi governments have not yet been able to resolve this issue. There are several adverse consequences of burning stubble, such as the release of potentially dangerous pollutants into the air, increased smog production, and worsened human health. Moreover, this has a detrimental effect on the nutritious value of the soil. Crop residue can be dealt with different efficient ways, even though it cannot be completely eradicated. In this regard, the present article aims to investigate optional environmental friendly disposal methods for stubble burning that India could implement. It is possible to transform stubble into something valuable in a number of ways such as the production of electricity from biomass, domestic animal feed, or even the production of necessary end products like medicines, health products, and composts. Furthermore, addition of crop leftovers into soil can also improve the physical, chemical, and biological qualities of soil in a number of ways. In North India, the majority of farmers think burning is the best option as they are unaware of various other options available to control stubble. Therefore, extensive awareness campaigns are required to inform farmers about the adverse impacts of stubble burning and the availability of other better financially viable solutions.