Stubble burning

Stubble Burning in Northern western region

                                                       

In Northern India, despite a ban by Punjab Pollution control board the practice of stubble Burning is still practiced. Stubble burning has a number of harmful effects.
1)Loss of Nutrients.
2)Emission of harmful gases like CO, N2O , NO2 , SO2 and CH4.
3)Risk of fires spreading  out of control.

4)Spread of many diseases
5) Pollution from  smoke.
Now question arises if set fire on paddy straws has a number of harmful effects then why  every year in October farmers in Northern India burn stubble.?
Answer is  Due to lack of alternatives.
Farmers have  given with  a 20 day time between kharif Crop (Rice) harvest and Rabi crop (Wheat) planting by government. During this time , they have to clear the fields and ready them for the winter wheat crop. So,  to  burn stubble is  easy and time saving atternative for farmers.
A farmer would require atleast 10 Laborer to clear a one acre farm costing a minimum 350-400 per  day. Rather then cost this  much amount  it is more cheaper and easier alternative that to set fire on these paddy straws because on these paddy straws because within a couple of hours, carbon is all that remain.
If a farmer is caught with burning his farm, a fine of Rs 2500 per acre can be levied. But this is a small price compared with the cost of alternative equipment because machine which cut stalk and deposits costs over Rs 10 Lakh.
Disposing of the straw in an environmental friendly manner would mean an additional expenditure of Rs 5000-6000 per acre.
                Farmers in Punjab and Haryana say there is no affordable alternative to stubble  burning. There is no Aid from from the government side  , no machines and no alternatives to stubble burning.
The Government says do not  set fire, but have they suggested any alternative?

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