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Stubble Burning Incidents Drop by 31 Percent Across Six States

Source:livemint ↗

Why It Matters

Stubble burning and seasonal air pollution in northern India are perennial environmental issues directly relevant to UPPSC Prelims questions concerning environmental governance, agricultural practices, and pollution control schemes.

Summary

A 31% reduction in stubble burning fires across six states has been recorded as northern India prepares for winter pollution challenges. The decline highlights the impact of ongoing crop residue management initiatives, though air quality concerns remain paramount for Delhi-NCR.

Key Points

  • Stubble burning incidents across six key agricultural states dropped by 31% ahead of the winter season.
  • The decline reflects improved crop residue management strategies and heightened awareness among farmers regarding air pollution and soil health.
  • Despite the drop, northern India, particularly the National Capital Region (NCR), braces for hazardous air quality conditions with the onset of winter meteorological changes.

Important Terms

National Clean Air Programme

India’s flagship national strategy launched by MoEFCC in 2019 to reduce particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) concentrations by 40% by 2026 across non-attainment cities.

UPSC context

UPSC/UPPSC Mains Paper III (Environment & Pollution). Essential for questions on air quality management strategies and urban environmental governance.

Source
Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Premier agricultural research institution under ICAR that tracks farm fires and stubble burning via satellite data using its CREAMS laboratory.

UPSC context

UPPSC/UPSC Prelims & Mains. Important for science-tech applications, space-based monitoring of crop residue, and agricultural policy.

Source
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Central ministry responsible for planning, promoting, and coordinating environmental and forestry programmes, including pollution control and climate change policies in India.

UPSC context

UPSC/UPPSC Mains Paper II & III. Vital for governance, institutional mechanisms, and national environmental laws.

Source

Prelims Trap

The Central Sector Scheme on Crop Residue Management (CRM) is administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Aspirants often assume the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme is administered by MoEFCC, whereas it is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Static Concepts Connected

Environment Pollution and Management

What are the primary in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management strategies promoted in India?

  • In-situ Machinery: In-situ management utilizes machinery like Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, and Smart Seeder to incorporate stubble back into the soil without burning.
  • Microbial Decomposers: Bio-decomposer technology, such as the PUSA microbial spray developed by IARI, accelerates rapid decomposition of stubble into organic manure directly in the field.
  • Ex-situ Uses: Ex-situ management involves collecting, baling, and transporting crop residue for industrial uses like biomass power generation, ethanol production, and cardboard manufacturing.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Stubble Burning + Agricultural Subsidies + Rural Energy

    Crop residue management initiatives intersect with agricultural subsidy architecture and the PM-KUSUM solar initiative for rural power and machinery access.

  • Indo-Gangetic Air Pollution + Winter Meteorology

    Meteorological inversion and particulate entrapment in Delhi-NCR tie environmental pollution directly to the geography of the Indo-Gangetic plain.

CRM subsidies, in-situ/ex-situ management methods, and PUSA bio-decomposer mechanisms are prime targets for UPPSC matching questions.

Linked PYQs · 3

Linked PYQs · 3

  • 2025UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    With reference to 'Delhi Government's Bio-decomposer and Spray Programme', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Bio-decomposer solution is provided free of cost to farmers to help convert stubble into manure. 2. The Bio-decomposer solution is prepared using a mix of several fungi. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • 2020UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    National Clean Air Programme has been launched by the Central Government in the year

  • 2021UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Flyash pollution is caused by