What has NASA said about pollution & stubble burning in North India?
The issue of pollution and stubble burning in North India has been a persistent concern for several years, with the region experiencing severe air quality deterioration during the winter months. The main culprit behind this pollution is the practice of stubble burning, where farmers set fire to their crop residue after harvesting, releasing large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Recently, NASA, the United States’ space agency, has weighed in on the issue, providing valuable insights into the patterns of stubble burning and its impact on air pollution in the region.
According to NASA, crop fires across northern India are being done later in the day, complicating efforts to monitor them and their impact on air pollution. The agency’s observations suggest that the overall pattern of the stubble-burning season was as per predictions, but the daily timing of fires shifted, making it more challenging to track and analyze the situation. This change in timing has significant implications for air quality monitoring and mitigation efforts, as it affects the dispersal of pollutants and their impact on nearby cities.
The stubble-burning season typically begins in October and lasts for several weeks, during which time farmers in the region burn their crop residue to clear the land for the next season’s planting. This practice releases large amounts of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to severe air quality deterioration in Delhi and nearby cities. The air quality in these cities deteriorated significantly for about a month after crop fires intensified in October, posing serious health risks to the population.
NASA’s observations are based on data from its satellite imagery, which provides a comprehensive view of the region and allows for real-time monitoring of crop fires and air pollution. The agency’s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites, such as the Terra and Aqua satellites, are equipped with instruments that can detect heat signatures from fires, as well as measure air quality parameters like particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.
The shift in the daily timing of stubble burning has significant implications for air quality monitoring and mitigation efforts. Traditionally, farmers would burn their crop residue during the morning hours, when the atmosphere is typically more stable, and the pollutants would be dispersed more evenly. However, with the change in timing, farmers are now burning their crop residue later in the day, when the atmosphere is more unstable, and the pollutants are more likely to accumulate near the surface.
This change in timing also affects the transport of pollutants to nearby cities, making it more challenging to predict and mitigate the impact of stubble burning on air quality. The pollutants from stubble burning can travel long distances, affecting not only the local population but also the population in nearby cities, including Delhi. The Indian government has implemented various measures to reduce stubble burning, including providing incentives to farmers to adopt alternative methods of crop residue management, such as mulching or composting.
However, despite these efforts, the practice of stubble burning remains widespread, and the region continues to experience severe air quality deterioration during the winter months. NASA’s observations highlight the need for more effective monitoring and mitigation strategies to address the issue of stubble burning and its impact on air pollution.
In conclusion, NASA’s observations on stubble burning and air pollution in North India provide valuable insights into the patterns and impacts of this practice. The shift in the daily timing of stubble burning complicates efforts to monitor and mitigate the issue, and highlights the need for more effective strategies to address the problem. The Indian government, in collaboration with international agencies like NASA, must work towards developing and implementing more effective solutions to reduce stubble burning and improve air quality in the region.
News Source: https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/new-timing-for-stubble-burning-in-india/
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