Examining the policy-practice gap- The issue of crop burning induced Particulate Matter pollution in Northwest India. Issue 1 (16th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaushal, Leena Ajit
• Is Part Of: Ecosystem health and sustainability. Volume 6:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-16
• Subjects: Field crop residue burning(FCRB) -- emissions -- particulate matter -- mitigation -- India -- government interventions; Ecosystem health -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental ethics -- Periodicals; Ecosystem management -- Periodicals; Ecosystem management; Environmental engineering; Environmental ethics; Environmental health; Environmental policy; Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1080/20964129.2020.1846460
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2096-4129

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The study examine the efficacy of government policy interventions initiated since 2014 to curb FCRB in NW Indian states and the related air pollution in Delhi-NCR during 2014-2019. The regression analysis suggests an increase in PM2.5 of ~69 µg/m3/1000 surge in fires. VIIRS retrieved data suggest an overall declining trend of ~1606 and ~4308 fire counts per year across NW states during October-November respectively. The monthly PM2.5 concentrations in New Delhi exhibits a decline of ~2.18 µg/m3 and ~5.17 µg/m3 per year over the same period. Despite an overall increase of ~17.6 % rice productivity, a noted decrease in fire activity over the period is an encouraging move, likely a result of some control imposed by authorities on FCRB. Owing to a significant ~35.5% rise in wheat productivity, data records rising trend in wheat residue burning activities in April (~1298/year) and May (~2402/year) but do not trigger extreme pollution due to difference in intensity of fires across harvesting seasons and relatively weak northwesterly wind direction. Nevertheless, the overall high PM2.5 levels in October-November and April-May compared to NAAQS 24-hour average of 60µg/m3, disproves the overall efficacy of government policies to curb FCRB and related air pollution in IGP region.