NEW DELHI: Satellite images from NASA on Wednesday showed the highest amount of stubble burning ever recorded this season from Punjab and Haryana. Earlier this month, the incidents were reported fewer than in previous years, but recent images revealed that the farm fires have increased and are likely to increase.
However, the pollution control boards of Punjab and Haryana rejected the claims.
"I have consistently maintained that crop residue (stubble) burning in parts of northern India leads to severe deterioration in air quality in Delhi-NCR during this time of the year," said Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain.
"The unfortunate trend has so far continued this season too, and the latest photographs from the NASA satellite proves it beyond doubt," he added.
The minister further said that the surface winds are predominantly calm or coming from Northwest and are likely to remain the same for next two days.
The mist/shallow fog (in morning) and haze (during day time) will occur in next three days, while low/moderate winds are prevailing over the whole of northern India.
"Predicted maximum mixing depth is likely to remain around 1,800 metres till November 1 for the Capital city. The maximum ventilation index is likely to be 4,000 and 7,000 m2/s on October 30 and 31 and 6,000 m2/s on November 1. The ventilation index lower than 6,000 m2/s is unfavorable for dispersion of pollutants," Hussain said.
Meanwhile, officials of pollution control boards in Punjab and Haryana refuted claims that stubble burning by farmers is the reason for the plummeting air quality of New Delhi, saying cities around the fields where crop residue is burnt have cleaner air than the national Capital. "Incidents of field fires have come down by 30-40 per cent from last year. The cause for higher pollution of Gurugram and Faridabad could be local or an impact of Delhi," said an official.
Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal told governments of the north Indian states to take urgent steps to help farmers curb crop residue burning. The tribunal also appealed to industries to assist farmers by way of corporate social responsibility.