New Delhi (NVI): Observing that the worsening air quality is causing fatal diseases to people in Delhi-NCR, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab to depute individuals to report on air pollution on a day to day basis, caused due to stubble burning.
According to data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC), Seventeen of the thirty-seven air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded the overall AQI in the “very poor” category.
Noticing that crop burning is shooting up carbon dioxide levels by 70 per cent in the air, the NGT has asked Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana governments to sensitise farmers on pollution caused by crop burning residue.
The NGT bench, headed by chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also expressed concern that equipment are yet not made available to farmers.
The Centre’s counsel told the bench that the Union government has disbursed Rs 600 cr which was being paid to farmers to purchase equipment, however, additional funds will have to borne by the states.
The bench said, every year during the months of October-November, the air quality deteriorates in and around Delhi, affecting the health of infants and senior citizens. It added, 25-30 per cent of air pollution in Delhi-NCR caused due to stubble burning.
The tribunal has also directed the states to file an action-taken report by the 15th of next month.
-sb
