The National Green Tribunal has recently issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary and member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board for expressing concern over the burning of crop residue that causes air pollution in the National Capital.
The NGT heard a petition that it initiated on its own (suo motu) following a media report highlighting a rise in farm fire incidents in Punjab. The report stated stubble burning in the state around autumn was among the “biggest contributors” to pollution in the NCR.
A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted a report by the Punjab Pollution Control Board that detailed the comparative data of 3 years on stubble burning incidents along with the names of hotspot districts known for the farm fire incidents.
The bench stated, “Effective implementation of various measures is the key for controlling stubble burning in the state.”
It stated that the state authorities, including PPCB officials, needed to identify the worst-affected areas within the hotspot districts where remedial measures should be focused. The bench stated, “The period when the stubble burning takes place is mainly between September 15 to November 30. Hence, during this period, the concerned authorities are required to be vigilant in identifying the violators and in taking remedial measures, including the imposition of penalties.” Also, the green panel took on record a report by the Commission for Air Quality Management in the NCR and adjoining areas, which tabulated the actual count of incidents of stubble burning in 2022 and the targets for reducing them during the present year. Underscoring that to achieve the targets, “effective on-ground action” was required, the tribunal directed the PPCB to prepare and place on record an area-wise crop residue management plan. “We also deem it proper to issue notice to the Chief Secretary and Member Secretary, CPCB,” the tribunal stated, seeking action on reports from the PPCB and CAQM. The matter has been listed on November 8 for further hearing.