QUE: Explain the health effects of stubble burning and other effects and the remedies for it.

 Farmers of Haryana and Punjab have to clear the fields in a very short time for sowing winter crops so that they can sow new crops in a short time, so they use stubble burning after harvesting the crops, which is increasing the concerns like air pollution every year in the capital Delhi and its surrounding areas.

•  Impact on health

•  Emission of PM 2.5 which is responsible for respiratory diseases, and it reduces the efficiency of the lungs.
•  During the period of crop residue burning, there has been a 2-3 fold increase in respiratory symptoms in each age group (10-60 years). These include, panic, shortness of breath on exertion, day and night cough, skin rashes, cold or itchy eyes etc.
• Related symptoms have increased by 2-3 fold. Which include, panic, shortness of breath on exertion, cough day and night, skin rashes, cold or itchy eyes etc.
•  It also reduces visibility and affects insulin sensitivity, which increases the number of diabetic patients.
•  The highest respiratory complaints are seen in the elderly group (>40-60) and the younger age group (<10-18).
• Burning of stubble causes emission of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM).
  
• Effects of stubble burning

•  Pollution: Burning of stubble in the open causes emission of large amounts of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere such as methane, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which cause smog.
•  Soil fertility: Burning straw in the field destroys the nutrients of the soil. This reduces productivity.
• Heat penetration: The heat generated by straw combustion enters the soil, which destroys the moisture and necessary microorganisms in the soil.

• Alternative solutions for straw combustion
• Promoting straw-based power plants, which can also create employment opportunities.
•  Using a turbo happy-seeder machine so that the straw leaves the water source and after completing the work in the stipulated time, a new crop can be sown on time. (1)
•  Incorporating straw into the soil will improve the moisture content of the soil, and will activate the development of microorganisms in the soil for proper plant growth.
•  Straw can be converted into rich organic fertilizer through composting.
•  Yeast protein can be produced for industrial use with the help of scientific research.
•  The Supreme Court had said that those who do not burn stubble should be encouraged and those who do should be punished.
  
• Chhattisgarh Model:

•  Gauthan (a collective plot of five acres) is created.
•  Here all the people of the village collect their stubble, in it dung and other natural enzymes are extracted and compost is made.
•  This provides employment to the rural youth.
•  The government helps in transporting the stubble to the Gauthan.
•  2000 Gauthans have been successfully developed in Chhattisgarh so far.
  

                            Thus, farmers and the government need to work together to solve the environmental problems arising due to stubble burning. Along with this, the government needs to provide necessary assistance to the farmers for the development of reliable technologies for sustainable development and other alternative remedies.