Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Are Farmers Outwitting Satellites To Hide Stubble Burning? Here's The Truth

Despite reports of a decline in stubble-burning incidents, new evidence suggests that farmers in Delhi-NCR may be evading detection by satellites, raising concerns about the true extent of air pollution in the region.

A Rising Concern Over Air Quality

Delhi-NCR's air quality continues to deteriorate, with the AQI hitting a staggering 494 this season, the worst it's been in recent years. The burning of stubble remains one of the major contributors to the region's air pollution, as it adds to the toxic haze enveloping North India, especially during the winter months.

Declining Stubble Burning Reports-But Is the Data Misleading?

Satellite data has shown a drop in stubble-burning incidents in key states like Punjab and Haryana. Punjab recorded 8,404 instances of stubble burning this year, a significant reduction from 33,082 last year, while Haryana saw a similar decline from 2,031 to 1,082 incidents. However, experts are raising doubts about the accuracy of this data. Despite the reported decrease, aerosol levels-which measure the concentration of particulates in the atmosphere-have remained constant. This raises suspicions that the drop in fire incidents might be misleading.

The Satellite Mystery: Timing or Tactics?

Experts, including NASA scientist Hiren Jethva, suggest that farmers in North-West India and Pakistan might be strategically timing their stubble burning to avoid detection during satellite overpass periods. Jethva pointed out that geostationary satellite images from Korea's GEO-KOMPSAT-2A showed localized smoke clouds from farm fires in the late afternoon-well past the satellite monitoring times-indicating that the fires could be occurring after the satellite's passes.

While the government data indicates a drastic decline in farm fires, the unchanged aerosol optical depth (AOD) in regions like Punjab and Haryana suggests that stubble burning may still be happening, albeit at different times to evade satellite detection.

Discrepancy in Satellite Data and Concerns Over Implementation

The issue caught the attention of India's Supreme Court, which directed the government to use stationary satellites to capture more accurate and continuous data on farm fires throughout the day. Unlike polar-orbiting satellites, which have limited time windows for capturing data, stationary satellites can monitor areas for extended periods. This could potentially help detect farm fires even in the late afternoon and evening.

The Court's intervention came after discrepancies between the data provided by NASA's satellite and that from Korea's GEO-KOMPSAT-2A. While NASA's satellite-only captures data during certain hours (between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM), the Korean satellite has shown farm fires continuing well into the late afternoon. The Supreme Court has called for better use of these stationary satellites to monitor stubble burning more effectively.

Officials Refute Claims of Deception

The Punjab Pollution Control Board has denied allegations that farmers are evading satellite detection. Professor Adarshpal Vig, Chairman of the Board, stated that the government collects data on farm fires through various satellites, including those that operate at night. He dismissed the claims as baseless, asserting that satellite monitoring is effective and reliable.

A Call for Action

While the Supreme Court has acknowledged the ongoing discrepancies in data collection, it has also emphasized the need for urgent action to address the air quality crisis. The Court has directed the government to make arrangements for obtaining data from stationary satellites, allowing for better real-time monitoring and enforcement of regulations.

This move aims to ensure that states and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) have accurate information to take timely action against the harmful practice of stubble burning, which continues to pose a significant health risk to millions living in Delhi and the surrounding areas.

As air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR reach hazardous levels, the question remains: Are we truly seeing a decline in stubble burning, or are farmers simply using timing and tactics to outsmart the very satellites meant to monitor them? Only better monitoring and stronger policy enforcement can answer this pressing question.