On 2 Jul, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) member Sudhir Aggarwal categorically stated that ‘there is no scientific study directly linking Panjab farm fires to Delhi’s pollution.’ For over a decade now, Delhi’s acute air pollution in winter months has been blamed on Panjab, paddy cultivation, and the fires to the post-harvest straw. Notably, Panjab grows paddy to feed India and not itself as it is not a native Panjabi food. The large scale of paddy cultivation, the advent of a combine harvester which leaves behind the taller straw, the law that mandates later plantation and harvest of paddy, and the failure of both national and state govts. to provide farmers tools and incentives to solve the issue, Panjab farmers have been demonized in media and social media. Justice Aggarwal asked how the smoke could travel to the national capital only and not any further and termed the moves to impose fines and arrest farmers over stubble burning as a ‘grave injustice.’ ‘Farmers have the responsibility to maintain the greenery on the earth. Environment is directly linked to agriculture,’ he said and stressed the importance of surface soil and sustainable farming practices. The statement by Judge Aggarwal must silence the critics. It highlights the need for comprehensive scientific research to understand the source of pollution accurately – firecrackers during Diwali, industry, traffic fumes, cement, wood fires, and garbage disposal – rather than attributing it solely to agricultural practices (SDW Vol. 1 Issue 4, Story 6). Advocate HS Phoolka spoke on the need for simpler farming methods such as ‘no drill’ wheat sowing and exploring other eco-friendly methods.
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