Supreme Court pulled up the states over their failure to take action against farmers who are indulging in stubble-burning, which results in the deterioration of air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR).

• Court stated that the states have not taken any steps to implement the directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR in 2021 to stop stubble burning.

Stubble Burning

• Parali or stubble is lowest portion of rice crop that remains after harvest and the practice of setting fire to this leftover stubble is Stubble Burning. 
• This method is commonly used between September and November, especially in fields where combine harvesters are used, to quickly clear paddy residue before planting wheat.
• Contributing Factors: Short time available between rice harvesting and sowing of wheat.
  • Considered as cheapest methods to clean the field after harvesting season.

Impacts of Stubble Burning

• Source of major air pollutants, i.e., PM10 and PM2.5, NOx, etc. and causing major human health issues.
• Releases Greenhouse Gases, contributing to rising global temperatures.
• Loss of nutrients in crop leftovers to atmosphere and adverse impact on soil fertility. 

Stubble Management Strategies

• Incorporate them into the soil, thus improving soil fertility, productivity, and replenishing soil nutrients. 
• Utilizing agricultural leftovers for animal feed and generating nutrient rich compost. 
• Production of Bran Oil, Bioethanol, and Biogas.