Air quality panel taps ISRO to improve tracking of Punjab, Haryana farm fires, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is collaborating with Punjab and Haryana to enhance the measurement of stubble fires.
• This initiative involves discussions with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to implement improved "ground truthing" protocols.
• The primary goal is to mitigate winter pollution in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), a significant concern during October and November.
• Evidence suggests that previous claims of reduced farm fires in Punjab were exaggerated, partly due to farmers burning stubble in the evenings to avoid satellite detection.
• An ISRO study indicated a shift in peak fire activity from 1:30 p.m. in 2020 to around 5 p.m. in 2024.

CAQM.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• Farm fires in Punjab are a major contributor to air pollution in the NCR, particularly when monsoon withdrawal allows westerly winds to stall.
• During this period, paddy stubble is frequently burnt to clear fields for the subsequent wheat sowing season.
• While farm fires contribute about 15% to particulate matter pollution over a whole winter, this share can surge to nearly 44% in specific weeks.
• The shift in burning times was a tactic by farmers to evade fines and detection by polar-orbiting satellites, which typically pass over during the day.
• Satellite sensors have limitations in accurately measuring factors like straw quantity, moisture, and combustion efficiency, which influence pollution levels.
• CAQM is seeking a basic protocol from ISRO to move beyond simple fire counts and achieve a more accurate estimation of farm fires.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): A statutory body established to coordinate, plan, and implement measures for air quality management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India's national space agency responsible for space science research and planetary exploration, including the development and operation of remote sensing satellites for earth observation and environmental monitoring.
• Ground Truthing: The process of verifying remotely collected data, such as satellite imagery, with direct observations and measurements taken on the ground to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• National Capital Region (NCR): A coordinated planning region centered around Delhi, encompassing the entire National Capital Territory of Delhi and adjacent districts from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, established to promote balanced development and manage urban growth.