New Delhi: There has been no scientific study to support the claim that farm fires in Punjab contribute to air pollution in Delhi, NGT member Justice Sudhir Agarwal said, disapproving of the imposition of fines and jailing of farmers. of the state for the burning of stubble, describing it as "serious." injustice".
The statement by a judicial member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) assumes significance as most of the judicial proceedings and public speeches have blamed rice crop residue burning in neighboring states, especially Punjab, for the worsening of air pollution in Delhi.
Observing that curbing air pollution in Delhi is the shared responsibility of all, Justice Agarwal said, "Prosecuting, fining and imprisoning only farmers (for stubble burning) will be a grave injustice."
Justice Agarwal was speaking at the 'Conference on Environmentally Friendly Rice Cultivation' and 'Savior of Natural Resources and Environment Award' held in the national capital on July 1. The event was organized to "congratulate and facilitate" water, air and land. friendly rice cultivation.
Sharing his experiences as a member of the NGT, Justice Agarwal said stubble burning was often considered the main cause of rising air pollution in Delhi.
He said Punjab is not even an immediate neighbor of Delhi, which shares borders with Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Also, a particular wind speed and a specific direction are needed to ensure that the so-called polluted air from Punjab reaches the national capital, he said.
"Har bat ke liye kisan bhaiyon ko zimmedar thehrana mujhe samajh nahi aata hai (Holding farmers responsible for everything is beyond my comprehension)," Justice Agarwal said.
"Was any scientific study done before stating that?" he asked, adding that Delhi's air had oily content and it is not possible that crop residues, which are biodegradable in nature, could have it.
The real reason for air pollution in Delhi is something else and the prosecution of farmers for this is totally unfair, he said, adding, "There may be some political reasons behind such allegation...I don't know."
He wondered how the polluted air of Punjab does not pollute the air of Haryana or even reach Ghaziabad.
Senior advocate H S Phoolka also spoke at the event and said there are two approaches to save the falling water table and prevent the land from becoming barren.
"The first approach that has been applied for many decades is diversification. But unfortunately, this approach has failed and every year the rice cultivated area increases and does not decrease. The main reason for the failure of this approach is that there is no no viable alternative," he said.
The second approach is organic rice cultivation, he added.
The statement by a judicial member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) assumes significance as most of the judicial proceedings and public speeches have blamed rice crop residue burning in neighboring states, especially Punjab, for the worsening of air pollution in Delhi.
Observing that curbing air pollution in Delhi is the shared responsibility of all, Justice Agarwal said, "Prosecuting, fining and imprisoning only farmers (for stubble burning) will be a grave injustice."
Justice Agarwal was speaking at the 'Conference on Environmentally Friendly Rice Cultivation' and 'Savior of Natural Resources and Environment Award' held in the national capital on July 1. The event was organized to "congratulate and facilitate" water, air and land. friendly rice cultivation.
Sharing his experiences as a member of the NGT, Justice Agarwal said stubble burning was often considered the main cause of rising air pollution in Delhi.
He said Punjab is not even an immediate neighbor of Delhi, which shares borders with Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Also, a particular wind speed and a specific direction are needed to ensure that the so-called polluted air from Punjab reaches the national capital, he said.
"Har bat ke liye kisan bhaiyon ko zimmedar thehrana mujhe samajh nahi aata hai (Holding farmers responsible for everything is beyond my comprehension)," Justice Agarwal said.
"Was any scientific study done before stating that?" he asked, adding that Delhi's air had oily content and it is not possible that crop residues, which are biodegradable in nature, could have it.
The real reason for air pollution in Delhi is something else and the prosecution of farmers for this is totally unfair, he said, adding, "There may be some political reasons behind such allegation...I don't know."
He wondered how the polluted air of Punjab does not pollute the air of Haryana or even reach Ghaziabad.
Senior advocate H S Phoolka also spoke at the event and said there are two approaches to save the falling water table and prevent the land from becoming barren.
"The first approach that has been applied for many decades is diversification. But unfortunately, this approach has failed and every year the rice cultivated area increases and does not decrease. The main reason for the failure of this approach is that there is no no viable alternative," he said.
The second approach is organic rice cultivation, he added.
