Abstract
Burning of crop residues released many pollutants, resulting in serious health hazards. This paper is an attempt to explore status of crop residues burning in Northwest India and its consequences on health in general and on child health in particular. An effort has also been made to find out the correlation between stubble burning and increasing incidence of acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children in Punjab. Finally an inventory of suggestions to curb this evil has also been prepared. Based on secondary sources, the data collected from various published studies, reports and NFHS, the present study found that residue burning resulted in the emission of greenhouse and various harmful gases. Such emission of harmful gases is many times higher than the standard level of gases as recommended by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It has also been observed that the phenomenon of stubble burning is quite high in Punjab with comparison to other northwest Indian states resulting into increase in incidence of ARI among children.
Highlights
Agriculture sector has always been the pivotal sector to the sustainable growth and development of Indian economy
The data collected from various published studies, reports and National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the present study found that residue burning resulted in the emission of greenhouse and various harmful gases
This study presents the extent of rice crop residues burning in the north-west region of India and its increasing incidence of acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children in Punjab
Summary
Agriculture sector has always been the pivotal sector to the sustainable growth and development of Indian economy. One kilogram of paddy generates 1-1.5 kilogram of straw In these states, about 80 percent rice straw sets to fire in fields and of the total open field burning, 48% is contributed by Punjab and Haryana alone.(Gadde et al.,2009). About 80 percent rice straw sets to fire in fields and of the total open field burning, 48% is contributed by Punjab and Haryana alone.(Gadde et al.,2009) This is primarily due to the short span between rice harvesting and wheat plantation. Burning of this precious raw material emits harmful particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) and greenhouse gases (GHGs). This paper firstly explains the objectives of the study followed by methodology, findings and discussion and lastly provides observed suggestions for to curb this menace
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