From Stubble To Sustainability: Reforming Crop Residue Waste Management In North India
Rizul, University of Delhi
ABSTRACT
In the winter months of October to December, a recurring environmental and public health crisis is being witnessed in North India since last few years. The issue largely involves in-situ burning of the residue of paddy crop which contributes significantly to soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution which in turn adversely affects millions of people across the Indo- Gangetic Plains and the National Capital Region of Delhi. Crop residue burning, commonly referred to as stubble burning is the practice of burning the crop residue or stubble i.e. the waste left in the fields after harvesting paddy crop. The prime reasons for burning the crop residue by farmers involves economic constraints, minimal support from government, mechanized harvesting and the small interval between paddy harvesting and sowing of wheat.
This paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach to examine the 3Cs: Causes, Consequences and Challenges associated with crop residue burning. Analysis of constitutional and statutory framework governing environmental laws is done as well as role of key institutions like National Green Tribunal and the Commission for Air Quality Management in addressing the issue. A critical evaluation is conducted of the existing policies and initiatives like Crop Residue Management Schemes in Punjab and Haryana, Custom Hiring Centers and emerging technologies such as the Happy Seeder and Pusa Bio- Decomposer.
Best practices around the world are analyzed so that they may be adapted to the Indian context. It is argued that sustainable agriculture requires a shift from a penalty-based model towards an integrated framework which combines legal regulations, economic incentives, carbon-market development, technological innovation and farmer-centric governance. The paper concludes by recommending a timeline for reducing the stubble- burning incidents and transforming crop residue waste into an asset for the farmers.
Keywords: Stubble Burning, Air Pollution, Crop Residue Management, Delhi-NCR Smog, Climate-resilient Agriculture, Polluter Pays Principle, Biomass Utilisation, Transboundary Pollution, Inter-state Environmental Liability, Environmental Justice.
