No Delhi-type crisis in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Agricultural stubble burning is in the limelight as farmers in Punjab once again defied orders of the National Green Tribunal that forbids farmers from setting fire to their fields. The burning of the paddy stubble in Punjab is adding to the deteriorating air quality of Delhi, says CPCB officials. Telangana State Pollution Control Board officials say that the burning of crops affects the air quality of the place.

Mr P. Veeranna, senior scientist at TSPCB says, “Although the burning of bio waste in the city is reportedly less, we see it happening in Khammam, Suryapet and Mancherial every year. Thankfully there is not much vehicular pollution there and therefore the after-effects can be reduced. However, it does create smog due to the large amount of particulate matter that is released.”

The increase of particulate matter in the air causes more health problems as these particles enter the lungs easily, affecting people of all ages. The farmers in the north though cite helplessness as they have to sow their new crop by November 15. The burning of stubble crops begins in October or November as the sowing time is generally till mid-November. However, the recent dip in chilli prices had caused a lot of farmers to burn their chilli crop earlier this year.

Ms Surabhi Reddy, environmentalist, says, “The burning of any bio-waste releases high levels of carbon monoxide and also particulate matter that hangs in the air. In winter, it mixes with fog causing smog that affects visibility. Similarly, the mass burning of chilli crop must have proved to be problematic for the soil as well because it kills a lot of essential nutrients.” Environmentalists also claim that the smog does not travel far, unlike Delhi, Hyderabad is at an elevated level and that works in its favour.

Subba Rao, environmentalist says, “Most modern agricultural equipment takes care of the grain but a lot of vegetative matter is left. Thankfully the ill-effects of burning crop do not travel far but with the onset of winter, we will see a lot of green waste being burned in the city which will be problematic.”

Dr W.J. Prasanna Kumar, Chairperson, NCRI says, “In winter, people, especially watchmen, burn green waste to keep warm on cold nights, leading to smog. Therefore, residential complexes should en-sure that there is no burning of green waste and provide enough cover for the watchmen.”