Essay on stubble burning

What is the burning of Husk or stubble? In India, It is observed that most farmers burn the husk or leftover which remains in the field afte...

What is the burning of Husk or stubble?

In India, It is observed that most farmers burn the husk or leftover which remains in the field after harvesting the crop in the open air. This husk can be seen in the fields of wheat, rice, sugarcane, other cereal and pulse crops, etc. and farmers just burn the husk to clean the field for the next crop. This happens in many states of India, despite the time-to-time suggestions given by the state or central government authorities. Farmers think that burning the husk is the quickest and fastest way to clean the field without realizing the fact of how harmful it is going to be for their fertile land, it may destroy the friendly bacteria present in the soil, changing the PH of the soil and increasing in temp. and pollution of the particular area. Some months it happened in the adjacent area of the capital Delhi. If farmers take crops twice or thrice a year, then accordingly the soil has to face fire in a year, which is dangerous, if the practice is continued for several yrs. 

Disadvantages of burning husk: 

1. Mainly this kind of residue is burned in the open fields which increases carbon emission and dust particles in the atmosphere thus increase in air pollution. 

2. Burning causes an increase in temperature.

3. Open-air burning may cause injury or turn into a dangerous fire if the residential area is surrounded by fields. 

4. It may burn surrounding or adjacent assets like fresh crops, sheds, farmhouses, or cattle as many agro-based cottage industries are set up in the fields, and when the set fire is at its peak, it may be uncontrollable.

5. If ash and residue of burnt husk is collected, which is itself a troublesome job to do, and disposed of in nearby ponds or rivers, it may badly affect aquatic life and water quality. 

6. At least, for some time, the burnt field becomes useless to graze cattle, because the solubility of water gets deceased in the soil and it gets hardened over a period of time. In India, we make bricks by burning or heating the clay or soil 

7. The most harmful impact of burning husk is a sudden increase in AQI (Air Quality Index), as every winter season, the capital Delhi faces a very high lift in AQI, recently it went high up to 400, which is very dangerous as good AQI lies up to 50 mark. This happens in Delhi because its adjacent states like Punjab, Haryana, and U.P. have more practice of burning husk. 

8. Fog or smog is created after burning, which causes poor visibility, especially in the morning. Every year the Indian capital, Delhi faces very poor visibility in the morning, Especially in the winter season and one of the major causes is the burning of the husk or agro leftover.

9. According to the Indian Pollution Control Board or different state laws stubble burning is a crime or penalty that will be implemented on the farmers.

How husk can be used: 

1. Husk or residue of crops acts as the best fodder for cattle, provided different varieties are added together.

2. Properly collected husk may be given to boiler plants, brick manufacturing, or any cottage industry, as it is a very good option for fuel. 

3. It may be used for making biofuel in combination with other wastes such as eggshells. 

4. Cultivation of Mushrooms can be done on small scale, as moistured husk acts as soil for mushrooms. And it will provide extra income for farmers too. 

5. Few farmers are successfully converting husk or agro leftovers into bio manure, which increases soil fertility. 

6. Farmers can consult govt. agencies, scientific labs, or other successful farmers who have fruitful options for open-air husk burning.

Update - Recently, it is in the news that many districts of the Haryana State are selling their agro leftovers to different industries for various purposes like dry fodder for milk cattle, and processing units at a very appreciable price, and by this not only farmers are getting handsome returns but also they are contributing to minimizing the major havoc of air pollution, especially in the Delhi province. At the same time many individuals and groups getting new employment opportunities. So, definitely, it is a positive approach.( As on 21st- Nov-2022)