Thursday, 14 November 2024
Home Topics Climate Emissions Sixteen farmers arrested for burning crop waste as air pollution rises in north India
EmissionsEnvironmentNews

Sixteen farmers arrested for burning crop waste as air pollution rises in north India

19
A view of Humayun's Tomb amidst the morning smog, in New Delhi, India October 22, 2024.REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis
At least 16 farmers have been arrested in India's northern state of Haryana for illegally burning paddy stubble to clear fields. A view of Humayun's Tomb amidst the morning smog, in New Delhi, India October 22, 2024. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – At least 16 farmers have been arrested in India’s northern state of Haryana for illegally burning paddy stubble to clear fields, a practice that stokes air pollution in the region around New Delhi at the onset of winter, authorities said on Tuesday.

India’s national capital region battles pollution at this time each year as temperatures fall and cold, heavy air traps construction dust, vehicle emissions and smoke, much of which authorities say travels from the neighbouring breadbasket states of Punjab and Haryana.

Delhi, ranked the world’s most polluted capital for four years in a row by Swiss group IQAir, has closed its schools and halted construction projects for brief periods in the past as it looks to tackle the problem.

Police in Haryana’s Kaithal region told Reuters that 22 complaints of stubble burning have been registered this year, and 16 people have been arrested.

“Those arrested have been released on bail since this is a bailable offence,” said Birbhan, a deputy superintendent of police, who uses only one name.

Investigations have been launched against almost 100 farmers across Haryana, while fines have been imposed on more than 300, local media reported.

Delhi recorded “very poor” air on Tuesday morning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with an air quality index (AQI) of 320. An AQI of 0-50 is considered good while anything between 400-500 poses health dangers.

It was the second-most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, a live ranking on IQAir’s website indicated, after only Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan.

The environment ministry said Delhi’s daily average AQI was likely to stay in the ‘Very Poor’ category (300-400) in coming days due to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions.

To curb Delhi’s pollution authorities have ordered water sprinkling on roads to tackle dust, increasing public bus and metro services and higher parking fees to discourage car use.

Environmentalists say the measures are inadequate.

“These are only emergency measures…This air pollution mitigation needs a long-term comprehensive solution rather than these ad hoc measures,” said environmentalist Vimlendu Jha.

(Reporting by Sakshi Dayal and Ainnie Arif; Editing by YP Rajesh, William Maclean)

Related Articles

FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, North Dakota National Guard soldiers and airmen work with the Department of Emergency Services to build a handline and conduct a controlled burn to prevent the further spread of a wildfire in Mandaree, N.D., Oct. 6, 2024. (Staff Sgt. Samuel J. Kroll/U.S. Army National Guard via AP)
EmissionsEnvironmentNatural GasRegulations

Natural gas flares sparked two wildfires in North Dakota, state agency says

Natural gas flares at oil wells sparked two North Dakota wildfires earlier...

FILE PHOTO: A screen displays the company logo for Stellantis N.V. on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., January 31, 2024.  REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
BusinessElectric VehiclesTransport

Stellantis pledges not to close plants or slash jobs in Italy

"Stellantis does not intend to close any plants in Italy, just as...

The Government has confirmed it will introduce legislation to restrict new coal mines (John Giles/PA)
CoalLegislationMiningPoliticsRegulations

UK government to ban new coal mining schemes as country turns to clean energy

There may be limited exceptions to the ban for “safety or restoration...

Login into your Account

Please login to like, dislike or bookmark this article.