Even as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Gurugram continues to be “very poor” nearly a week after Diwali, the Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC), which is monitoring stubble burning in Haryana, has observed a sudden spurt in crop burning since the festival. It warned that no let up in the situation was likely over the next fortnight.
Speaking to The Hindu , HARSAC chief scientist R.S. Hooda said the centre was continuously monitoring stubble burning in Haryana since October 1.
“Stubble burning has increased over the past week. Around 250-odd active fire points are being detected across Haryana daily. As per our experience over the past few years, we do not expect any let up in the situation till the first week of November. Usually, stubble burning continues till mid-November,” said Dr. Hooda.
He added that actual instances of stubble burning could be much more as the satellite only captures active fire-points for areas measuring 8-10 acres or more.
“Data received from the satellite on active fire-points is filtered to weed out instances of accidental fires in urban areas, forest fires and thermal power stations. The data is then sent to around 150 officials, including Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Pollution Control Board officials through a text message every evening for further action,” Dr. Hooda said.
Though stubble burning is reported across Haryana, the districts of Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Fatehabad contribute the most towards the issue. Dr. Hooda said stubble burning in Sirsa and Fatehabad districts this year started after Diwali.
Despite all claims by the government on curbing stubble burning, Dr. Hooda said there was only 10% to 20% fall in crop burning this year compared to the previous year.
Meteorological conditions
Meanwhile, the average AQI in Gurugram continues to be more than 300 points, falling in the “very poor” category, since Diwali, except a little respite on October 22 and 23, when it was around 250 points. It breached the 400-mark on October 20, a day after Diwali, indicating “severe” air quality.
Neha Saharan, the Assistant Environment Engineer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (Gurugram), attributed the high levels of pollution to vehicular traffic and stubble burning.
“Pollutants have accumulated due to drop in temperature and slow wind speed, deteriorating the air quality. It is difficult to say how long the situation might persist,” said Ms. Saharan.
Due to high levels of pollution, thick smog seems to have enveloped the city, making residents feel uncomfortable about going out and even staying indoors. Children and joggers were seen wearing masks to protect themselves from inhaling the polluted air. “My eight-year-old son is on nebulizer since Diwali. Even I felt irritation in eyes and nose when I went out in the morning. The pollution has acquired critical dimensions in the city, and both the government and the common people need to come together to fight it urgently,” said Pooja Sharma.
Meanwhile, a few concerned citizens have come together to form a WhatsApp Group, “Citizens for Clean Air”, to share their concerns over rising levels of pollution and push the authorities to take action.
