At least 16 farmers in Haryana, India, have been arrested for illegally burning paddy stubble to clear their fields, a practice that contributes to air pollution around New Delhi as winter approaches, authorities reported on Tuesday.
Every year, the National Capital Region grapples with pollution as temperatures drop, causing cold air to trap construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke, much of which is believed to originate from the agricultural states of Punjab and Haryana.
In Kaithal district, police informed Reuters that there have been 22 reports of stubble burning this year, resulting in 16 arrests. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Birbhan, those apprehended have since been released on bail.
Investigations are underway for nearly 100 farmers across Haryana, and fines have been levied against more than 300 individuals, local media has reported.
On Tuesday morning, Delhi’s air quality was classified as “very poor,” with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 320, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI of 0-50 is considered good, while values between 400-500 indicate severe health risks.
Delhi was ranked as the second-most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, according to a live report by IQAir, following Lahore in Pakistan’s Punjab province, where the chief minister has called for ‘climate diplomacy’ with India to address smog.
In Punjab, authorities have registered 182 complaints and arrested 71 individuals for burning stubble and trash, operating illegal brick kilns, and using vehicles that emit smoke.
Senior Punjab minister Marriyum Aurangzeb mentioned that resources have been allocated for artificial rain and other measures, noting that each instance of artificial rain would cost between 5 million rupees ($18,000) and 7 million rupees ($25,200).
India’s environment ministry warned that Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the ‘Very Poor’ category (300-400) in the coming days due to unfavorable weather conditions.
To combat pollution in Delhi, authorities have implemented measures such as water sprinkling on roads to reduce dust, increasing public bus and metro services, and raising parking fees to discourage car usage. However, environmentalists argue that these measures are insufficient.
“These are merely emergency measures… Effective air pollution mitigation requires a long-term, comprehensive approach rather than these temporary fixes,” stated environmentalist Vimlendu Jha.
