A week to Diwali, Delhi is already choking with deadly smog. No, it is because of firecrackers

SC has banned the sale of firecrackers during Diwali in Delhi NCR region. But is it the only solution to control the deteriorating levels of air quality?

By: News Desk |
October 11, 2017 5:32 pm

The Supreme Court on Monday imposed a ban on the sale of firecrackers during Diwali in Delhi, NCR region citing alarming pollution levels as the reason. The top court stated they would like to review the air quality after the festival adding that the ban would be restored after November 1. While some praised the Supreme Court’s decision some slammed the move asserting that banning only crackers would not help in bringing down pollution levels.

However, another problem that also adds to the increasing pollution levels in the city is burning of crop residues. Farmers burn tonnes of crop residue every October adding to the pollution in the city. NASA satellite images had suggested that it was not just Diwali crackers but the inconsiderate burning of crop stubble had also triggered the smog in November 2016. In a bid get rid of the residue, farmers burn the paddy stubble in their field after the crop has been harvested.

Delhi’s air quality has already started coming down and PM10 and PM2.5 levels have started going up.

Also Read: Why a firecracker ban will not solve Delhi’s pollution problem

The National Green Tribunal had banned crop burning in 2015 and had also suggested that farmers should be penalised for stubble burning. “In the case of persistent defaulters of crop residue burning, an appropriate coercive and punitive action could be taken by the state government concerned, including the launching of prosecution,” NGT was quoted as saying.

“Burning also takes a toll on micro-organisms and other small creatures such as earthworms that help enrich the soil,” CR Babu an ecologist was quoted as saying. Every tonne of crop residue reportedly produces 3 kg f particulate matter 0 kg of CO, 1,460 kg of CO2 and 199kg of ash.

While firecrackers does contribute to massive pollution in the city, but the process of burning paddy stubble leads to blackening the skies and is a major source of pollution.

Source: Hindustan Times