NGT Questions Punjab on Paddy Straw Management Amidst Pollution Concerns

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised inquiries with the state of Punjab regarding the management of paddy straw on farms to combat air pollution. The tribunal emphasized the need for in-situ management and sought detailed information on the availability and type of agricultural machines, procurement methods, and responsible agencies.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has posed several queries to the state of Punjab concerning the on-farm management of paddy straw instead of relocating it elsewhere. The tribunal was addressing the issue of stubble burning in Punjab, which is frequently blamed for air pollution in the national capital, especially during the winter.

A bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava sought detailed information about in-situ management of paddy crop residue, identifying it as a 'critical method' involving the use of machines to remove the leftover stubble and paddy roots.

The state government reported that in 2023, it had estimated the management of 11.50 million tons of paddy straw through various in-situ methods. However, the NGT noted that the report from Punjab lacked crucial information.

Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with judicial member Justice A K Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, emphasized that adequate efforts for in-situ management were still insufficient. They instructed the state to provide specifics about the machines, their availability, and procurement methods, along with district-wise details and nodal agencies involved.