Identify the key reasons behind persistence of stubble-burning despite repeated interventions. How can technology-driven solutions address them?

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country Q5. Identify the key reasons behind persistence of stubble-burning despite repeated interventions. How can technology-driven solutions address them? (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: TH Why the question The Supreme Court–Centre debate on stubble-burning and recurring winter pollution in North India makes it a …

Revised Guidelines Under The Biomass Programme

Context: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) revised guidelines under the Biomass Programme (Phase-I, 2021–26). Aim to streamline clean energy adoption, support MSMEs, and address stubble burning with more flexibility and financial incentives. About Revised Guidelines Under the Biomass Programme: Launched by: MNRE under National Bioenergy Programme Phase-I Term: 2021–22 to 2025–26 Objective: …

“Stubble burning is no longer a seasonal crisis restricted to North India but a symptom of unsustainable agricultural practices”. Examine. Suggest structural reforms to address this issue beyond penalisation.

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country. Q5. “Stubble burning is no longer a seasonal crisis restricted to North India but a symptom of unsustainable agricultural practices”. Examine. Suggest structural reforms to address this issue beyond penalisation. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: DTE Why the question Policy response to stubble …

UPSC Editorial Analysis: Air Pollution and Its Global Mortality Impact

General Studies-3; Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.   Introduction Air pollution is one of the most pressing environmental and public health crises globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is responsible for one in nine deaths worldwide, contributing to approximately 7 million premature deaths annually. The State of Global …

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 November 2024

  UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 November 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles   InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. …

Tracking Stubble Burning

Source:  TH Context: Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana heavily pollutes NCR air. While satellites monitor fires, farmers burning outside detection windows raise concerns about tracking methods and government measures. About Satellites Used to Track Stubble Burning: NASA Satellites: Aqua (2002) and Suomi-NPP (2011) with MODIS and VIIRS instruments detect fires via visible and infrared …

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2024

  UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles   InstaLinks :  Insta Links help you think beyond the  current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. …

Delhi Air Pollution

Syllabus: Air Pollution Source:  TH  Context: Delhi’s air pollution crisis is worsening, with high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and other pollutants creating severe health and environmental issues.  Delhi Air Pollution Status: Air Quality Index (AQI): Frequently hovers between 300-500, indicating “very poor” to “severe” air quality. PM2.5 Dominance: Major contributor to unhealthy …

Technologies to Resolve Stubble Burning

Syllabus: Science and Technology, Air Pollution Source:  DTE  Context: Stubble burning, especially in northern India, contributes significantly to air pollution and haze during October and November. Despite government measures, the practice persists due to economic and operational challenges faced by farmers. Stubble Burning Stubble burning is the deliberate setting of fire to crop residue after …

A renewable energy revolution, rooted in agriculture

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environmental Conservation   Source: The Hindu Context: The first bio-energy plant of a private company in the Sangrur district of Punjab will produce Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) from paddy straw, thus converting agricultural waste into wealth.   Benefits of CBG plant: From paddy stubble, CBG valued at ₹46 per kg as …

The process of burning farm residue is one of the major causes of air pollution in parts of north India, deteriorating the air quality. Moreover, the inability to convert stubble as fodder leads to economic losses as well. Examine.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. 6. The process of burning farm residue is one of the major causes of air pollution in parts of north India, deteriorating the air quality. Moreover, the inability to convert stubble as fodder leads to economic losses as well. Examine. (250 words) Difficulty level: Moderate Reference: …

Stubble Burning and its impact on health:

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Conservation and Pollution related issues.   Context: A study was conducted recently in six villages of Patiala, Punjab on Stubble Burning and impacts on health.   Key findings of the study: Pollution from stubble burning significantly reduced lung function and was particularly harmful to rural women. The concentrations of PM2.5, the …

Bio-decomposer to tackle stubble burning:

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.   stubble burning: Context: The Delhi government has started spraying bio-decomposer solution in farmlands to decompose the stubble left after the harvest.   Background: The Delhi government sees the bio-decomposer as a solution to stubble burning and has been urging other States to …

Stubble burning has been a major cause of air pollution and many efforts to tackle it have yielded mixed results. Examine the potential of bio-decomposers to address this issue.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. 6. Stubble burning has been a major cause of air pollution and many efforts to tackle it have yielded mixed results. Examine the potential of bio-decomposers to address this issue. (250 words) Difficulty level: Moderate Reference: The Hindu Why the question: The Delhi government, in a …

Stubble Burning:

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Conservation and pollution related issues.   tubble The Commission for Air Quality Management has said that a reduction in the area under paddy cultivation in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, as well as a shift away from paddy varieties that take long to mature, could see a reduction in stubble burning …

Insights into Editorial: To curb stubble burning, make straw management machines affordable

  Introduction: The Supreme Court, in November 2019, had directed the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to pay farmers a financial incentive to curb the practice, which accounts for nearly 4-30% of daily pollutant concentration in Delhi’s air in the early winter months. The Supreme Court appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, …

Stubble burning

Topics Covered: Conservation and pollution related issues. Stubble burning What to study? For Prelims and Mains: Crop burning- why, concerns, effects on environment and health, their regulation and the need for a comprehensive policy on this. Context: With wheat harvesting over in Punjab, the State has witnessed a spike in incidents of stubble burning against …