ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lucknow: The School of Management Sciences (SMS), Lucknow, organised a two-day national conference focusing on sustainable business approaches for a collective future.
At the collaborative event with the Indian Society for Training & Development (ISTD) and the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) , institute director Ashish Bhatnagar said, "Sustainability is not an option, it is a necessity."
Speakers, including former chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh R Ramani, former director of IIM Kozhikode Krishna Kumar, and TERI SAS New Delhi Associate Professor, Shruti Sharma Rana, led discussions on sustainable finance, circular economy, and ESG practices. TNN
Read MoreProminent environmental experts have challenged the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) report declaring Triveni Sangam water unfit for bathing during the Mahakumbh. The experts argue CPCB report is incomplete citing missing data on nitrates and phosphates.
New Delhi: Prominent environment experts have countered Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report claiming poor quality of water at Mahakumbh. The CPCB report said that Triveni Sangam water is not fit for bathing. The CPCB cites high levels of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the water.
Prof Umesh Kumar Singh, who teaches at Centre of Environmental Science at the University of Allahabad, said that water at Sangam is fit for taking a bath keeping in view the current set of data.
‘CPCB needs to work more’
“A few days back, the Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report stated increased levels of faecal coliform (bacteria) in the water. I believe that the CPCB needs to work more on the report because their data is not complete,” Professor Singh said. “The level of nitrates and phosphates are missing from the report. The level of dissolved oxygen in the water, as shown in the report, is good. And on the basis of the current data, I can say that the water at Triveni Sangam is fit for taking a bath,” Professor Umesh Singh told ANI.
“Report very inconsistent”
Similarly, another professor RK Ranjan termed CPCB report “very inconsistent”. According to RK Ranjan, who is Associate Professor Central University of South Bihar, the Central Pollution Control Board data is very inconsistent and to conclude that water is unsafe to bathe in would be to say things in haste.
He added, “There is not enough data to conclude that the waters in Prayagraj are not safe to bathe in. Similar data can be seen from Garhmukteshwar, Gazipur, Buxar and Patna. There could be many reasons for this to happen. Among others one reason behind this is when a large number of people bathe in the same waters. It also matters from where and when the sample of water is taken.”
“Coliform bacteria is nothing new”
Dr. Amit Kumar Mishra, another environmental scientist from JNU, also holds the same opinion. Mishra says the presence of coliform bacteria is nothing new and called for new data set.
I would say we need more data sets, we need more measurements. There is a huge number of population which is taking bath at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. If you talk about the coliform bacteria, it is nothing new. If you see the data of the Shashi Snan peaks, you will see that the E.Coli bacteria peaks at that time. So, I would say that we need more data sets, we need more parameters, we need more monitoring stations, especially down the stream,” Amit Kumar Mishra said.
Prof. Chander Kumar Singh of TERI School of Advanced Studies also said that many parameters are not present in the CPBC report.
“In the CPCB report available, many parameters are not present. I believe better information can be given if more data and facts come out,” Prof. Chander argued.
https://x.com/ANI/status/1892903056926486548
| Date | News Title | Source |
| 25-March-2025 | How water green credits can fu... | Hindustan Times (Opinion) |
| 23-February-2025 | Sustainable biz practices disc... | The Times of India (Online) |
| 21-February-2025 | Sangam fit for bath’, Enviro... | News9 (Online) |
| 12-February-2025 | A role for India in South-Sout... | The Hindu (Online) |
| 02-December-2024 | ICAR Findings Show 34% Decline... | ETV Bharat (Online) |
| 28-October-2024 | German Vice Chancellor Dr. Hab... | Indian Chemical News (Online) |
| 14-October-2024 | Climate action is the hot new ... | The Print (Online) |
| 04-October-2024 | Turning carbon into opportunit... | Deccan Herald (Online) |
| 25-September-2024 | University of Leeds and TERI S... | APN News (Online) |
| 08-August-2024 | Teaching climate change: Globa... | Careers360 (Online) |
Stubble burning surged in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh recorded 16,360 cases, the highest among states monitored, writes Surabhi Gupta.
The increase in stubble-burning cases in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh highlights gaps in policy implementation and technology accessibility. (ETV Bharat)
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has unveiled its findings from the satellite-based monitoring of stubble burning across five major agricultural states; Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Conducted between September 15 and November 30, 2024, the study highlights a marked reduction in the overall number of stubble-burning incidents compared to previous years.
According to the ICAR report, stubble-burning cases declined to 37,602 in 2024, representing a 34% drop from 2023 and a staggering 59% reduction since 2021. This data underscores growing awareness among farmers and the impact of various government initiatives to curb the environmentally harmful practice.
Expert Insight
S.N. Mishra, a climate expert and professor at TERI School of Advanced Studies, spoke to ETV Bharat on the issue. "While the reduction in stubble-burning cases is encouraging, the claim of a 70% reduction in Punjab appears overstated. Farmers are increasingly avoiding detection by burning stubble at times not monitored by polar-orbiting satellites," Mishra explained.
He added, "Air pollution in North-West India is influenced by two key factors: aerosol loads and atmospheric conditions. This year, strong post-Diwali winds and the absence of an inversion layer helped prevent a pollution spike. However, high nighttime aerosol loads suggest that pollution levels remain concerning. Effective long-term solutions require consistent policy enforcement, farmer engagement, and economic incentives for sustainable residue management.”
Four-Year Overview of Stubble Burning Cases
Statewise Analysis
The report provides a detailed breakdown of cases by state, showing progress in some areas while highlighting persisting challenges in others.
While Punjab and Haryana reported significant reductions, 70% and 39%, respectively, stubble-burning incidents surged in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh recorded 16,360 cases, the highest among the states monitored, reflecting a 31% increase compared to 2023.
The report provides a detailed breakdown of cases by state, showing progress in some areas while highlighting persisting challenges in others. (ETV Bharat)
Reasons for Success in Punjab and Haryana
Several factors contributed to the success in reducing stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana:
• Sustainable Technologies: Subsidized machinery like happy seeders and super straw management systems facilitated in-situ residue management.
• Awareness Campaigns: Efforts by government bodies and NGOs educated farmers on the harmful environmental impact of stubble burning.
• Policy Interventions: Stricter enforcement of penalties and financial incentives under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) played a pivotal role in deterring the practice.
Challenges In Other States
The increase in stubble-burning cases in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh highlights gaps in policy implementation and technology accessibility. Madhya Pradesh’s 31% increase in cases underlines the need for region-specific strategies and a stronger focus on farmer support.
Impact on Air Quality
Stubble burning has long been a key contributor to the winter air pollution crisis in North India. The decline in incidents in Punjab and Haryana has had a noticeable impact, improving air quality during the post-Diwali period. However, experts caution that rising cases in other states could offset these gains, emphasizing the need for a nationwide approach to tackle this issue comprehensively.
The ICAR report paints a mixed picture of progress and challenges. While the overall decline in stubble-burning incidents is a step in the right direction, the surge in cases in certain states demands urgent attention. Experts call for consistent policy enforcement, increased financial incentives for sustainable practices, and continuous engagement with farmers to eliminate the practice altogether.
As Mishra aptly noted, “The problem is not just seasonal but systemic. Long-term solutions will require integrating economic, technological, and environmental strategies to achieve lasting results.”
The success in Punjab and Haryana offers a blueprint for addressing the issue across India. Still, achieving cleaner air for all will require coordinated efforts and sustained commitment at all levels.
