Editorial 1: Holistic approach

Context

An all-round strategy is necessary for India to effectively manage stubble burning.

Introduction

The Supreme Court of India has raised the possibility of prosecuting farmers engaged in stubble burning, a key driver of air pollution in northern India. Despite the creation of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), weak enforcement, political pressure, and lack of transparency have hindered progress, worsening the crisis in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Supreme Court’s Position

• The Supreme Court of India has suggested the possibility of prosecuting farmers who set fire to fields for preparing rabi crop.
• Stubble burning is a major cause of air pollution in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, especially during October–November.

Causes of Pollution

• Adverse weather conditions after the monsoon trap pollutants in the air.
• Multiple contributors:
  • Vehicles and industries
  • Garbage burning
  • Agricultural waste (stubble burning)

Government Efforts

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was set up to coordinate across states (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan).
• It was a recognition that air pollution is a cross-border issue.

Shortcomings of CAQM

• The body has not acted independently of political influence.
• Example:
  • Ordered a ban on end-of-life petrol and diesel vehicles in NCR from July 1.
  • Due to public and political opposition, with Court’s intervention, the order was postponed to Novemberand applied only to areas outside Delhi municipalities.
• On stubble burning:
  • Could not convince the judiciary that the issue stems from:
    • Stubborn farmer practices
    • Weak enforcement by states (Punjab & Haryana)
    • Agricultural economics, leaving debt-ridden farmers with limited options.
  • Punjab misrepresented data by claiming a reduction in farm fires, though incidents were actually rising.
  • CAQM withheld this information.

Challenges & Concerns

• Lack of transparency and fear of political backlash has weakened CAQM’s role.
• Result: drastic suggestions like jailing farmers are being floated.

Way Forward

• No section of society (farmers or industries) should be above the law.
• Instead of punitive measures, solutions should include:
  • Better incentives for farmers
  • Strict enforcement of existing laws
  • Transparent reporting and realistic targets
• A focus on systemic changes rather than only carrot-and-stick approaches.

Conclusion

Addressing air quality challenges requires more than punitive measures like jailing farmers. Sustainable solutions lie in incentives, strict enforcement of laws, and transparent governance. By tackling the economic distress of farmers and strengthening inter-state cooperation, India can move towards cleaner air. A balanced, systemic approach is essential to replace ineffective carrot-and-stick policies with long-term solutions.