Stubble Burning Incidents Decline as 40% of Paddy Waste Utilized
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav reveals a drop in stubble burning and a 40% rise in ex-situ paddy stubble management to fight air pollution.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has announced a positive shift in the battle against seasonal smog, stating that stubble burning incidents have seen a decline compared to previous years. The Minister highlighted that approximately 40 per cent of paddy stubble has been successfully managed through ex-situ methods this year, marking a significant step in reducing the agricultural contributions to air pollution.
Comprehensive Action Plans and Digital Monitoring
According to Minister Yadav, the government has implemented more exhaustive environmental action plans this year to tackle the recurring crisis of poor air quality. To ensure these plans are not just on paper, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has introduced a dedicated digital dashboard. This tool allows authorities to track progress in real-time and monitor the implementation of various measures across the affected regions.
The Minister emphasized that the CAQM is maintaining a vigilant watch over meteorological factors. Key elements being monitored include:
- Wind direction and speed.
- The overall movement of air.
- Current weather patterns that influence pollutant dispersal.
Based on these scientific assessments, the CAQM is coordinating closely with state governments to issue and execute necessary directions to mitigate pollution levels.
Delhi's Air Quality Trends and Political Friction
Adding another dimension to the discussion, Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared data regarding the city's air quality. Sirsa claimed that Delhi experienced its cleanest October in over ten years. He further noted that the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded 220 clean-air days in 2026, the highest figure seen in a decade.
Sirsa highlighted a 10 per cent improvement in the average Air Quality Index (AQI) compared to previous years, asserting that the annual average AQI has hit a decade-low. He credited these achievements to the efforts of the Delhi government under Rekha Gupta.
Accusations Over Data and Implementation
However, the conversation took a political turn when Minister Sirsa leveled serious allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. During a press conference in Delhi, Sirsa accused the Punjab administration of not only facilitating stubble burning but also manipulating pollution data to hide the actual extent of the problem.
"I also want to highlight that the average AQI recorded this year was the lowest in the past decade, with a 10% improvement compared with previous years," stated Minister Sirsa.