Tackling Punjab’s Stubble Burning Problem: A Call for Immediate Balanced Solutions

Punjab’s depleting water table threatens future generations, but the immediate crisis of toxic air pollution demands bold and decisive action today.

Tackling Punjab’s Stubble Burning Problem

The issue of paddy stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana has become a perennial and recurring concern, particularly during November and December. This practice not only contributes— at least in part— to the toxic smog enveloping Delhi but also exacerbates health crises and environmental degradation across North India. While several factors contribute to the air pollution woes of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, has recently emerged as a contentious policy in this debate. However, is it fair to hold this legislation solely accountable for the crisis? A balanced approach is needed to understand its impact and explore viable solutions.

The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act: A Double-Edged Sword

Aimed at Groundwater Conservation

The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, was enacted under the leadership of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to combat Punjab's alarming groundwater depletion. The law aimed to shift the timeline of paddy cultivation to better align with monsoon rains, reducing the reliance on groundwater during the peak summer months. This strategic adjustment was intended to conserve vital water resources and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the state.

Key Provisions and Impact

The Act introduced several critical measures, including prohibiting the sowing of paddy nurseries before May 10 and banning transplantation before June 10. It empowered officials to destroy paddy sown or transplanted prematurely and imposed penalties on violators. These provisions reportedly saved an estimated 1,000 billion liters of water annually, showcasing the Act's success in addressing water scarcity. However, its implementation also brought unintended challenges that require reevaluation.

Unintended Consequences

While the enactment achieved its water conservation goals to some extent, it unintentionally exacerbated the problem of stubble burning. The delayed sowing pushed the paddy harvest to October-November, compressing the time window for field preparation before wheat planting. Facing tight schedules and economic constraints, many farmers resorted to burning crop residues, intensifying pollution levels during the season when air quality already deteriorates due to winter weather conditions.

Stubble Burning and the Delhi Smog

The Regional Context

Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana significantly contributes to the infamous Delhi smog. Northwesterly winds transport smoke to the NCR, where it combines with industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and winter inversions to create a toxic haze. However, focusing solely on stubble burning ignores the multifaceted nature of the problem, including local pollution sources and climatic conditions in Delhi.

Synchronized Emissions

The 2009 Act inadvertently synchronized emissions from stubble burning, with farmers across Punjab burning fields within a short period. This concentration of pollutants further intensifies the air quality crisis, creating a toxic “gas chamber” in NCR Delhi, with similar albeit mitigated effect over large parts of North India.

Balancing Water and Air: The Policy Dilemma

Trade-offs and Interdependence

The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act highlights the complexities of environmental policymaking. Addressing one issue—groundwater depletion—has worsened another—air pollution. The situation underscores the interconnectedness of environmental systems and the need for policies that address multiple issues holistically.

Regional Collaboration

Given the shared consequences of stubble burning, there is an urgent need for collaboration among Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Isolated efforts will fail to address a problem that transcends state boundaries.

Incentivizing Sustainable Practices

Financial Support for Farmers

Farmers require practical and effective alternatives to stubble burning. One proposed solution is to offer a direct ₹100 per quintal bonus to paddy cultivators for three years, helping to partially offset the costs of stubble management. This straightforward financial support could drive the adoption of mechanized solutions like Happy Seeders and foster sustainable agricultural practices. Attempting alternative methods to administer this subsidy would likely result in administrative inefficiencies and leakages, undermining the intended impact and failing to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Radical Remedy and Community-Based Accountability

Incentives alone may not be sufficient to address the problem; enforcement measures must be stringent, practical, and aligned with ground realities. The current reliance on FIRs has proven ineffective, failing to act as a deterrent and diverting the efforts of field officials and police towards unproductive avenues. A more impactful solution could involve enacting a concise, targeted law—or amending the 2009 Act—to empower authorities to attach and auction the land of offending landowners for one year, irrespective of whether the actual violator is the landowner or his tenant. The leased land could then be cultivated by another villager, with the lease proceeds deposited into the Gram Panchayat fund. This approach not only serves as a strong deterrent but also fosters community involvement by directing the financial benefits toward local development projects, ensuring collective accountability and cooperation.

A Way Forward

Crop Diversification and Technological Innovation

Encouraging crop diversification away from water-intensive paddy is essential for long-term sustainability. Additionally, promoting mechanized stubble management and adopting technologies like water-efficient crop varieties could reduce dependency on outdated practices.

Public Awareness and Strict Enforcement

A comprehensive public relations campaign—focused on the environmental and health costs of stubble burning—should be paired with strict enforcement measures. Such a campaign must be free from political overtones to ensure credibility and community buy-in.

Conclusion: Urgent Action Needed

Punjab’s depleting water table threatens future generations, but the immediate crisis of toxic air pollution demands bold and decisive action today. A balanced approach—combining financial incentives, strict enforcement, and community participation—can address the root causes of stubble burning. While the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act was a well-intentioned law, its unintended consequences highlight the need for adaptive policies. For the next three years, compensating farmers while holding violators accountable through community-driven enforcement could provide a much-needed reprieve from this environmental crisis. The time to act is now—before the smog of inaction suffocates us all.