Air Quality in Haryana and Punjab Declines Amid Extended Diwali Celebrations and Stubble Burning

Strategic Insights -

The air quality in parts of Haryana and Punjab has deteriorated, with several areas recording "very poor" to "severe plus" categories on the air quality index (AQI). The pollution control boards in both states attribute the decline to the extended Diwali celebrations and stubble burning, which has decreased compared to previous years. The AQI at Dharuhera industrial town in Haryana's Rewari district stood at 382, the highest in the region, while Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district recorded an AQI of 295. The burning of stubble after harvesting paddy crops is a major contributor to the rise in air pollution, as the October-to-December window for sowing the rabi crop is short.

Key Takeaways:

  • The air quality in Haryana and Punjab has declined due to extended Diwali celebrations and stubble burning, with several areas recording "very poor" to "severe plus" categories on the AQI.
  • The AQI at Dharuhera industrial town in Haryana's Rewari district stood at 382, the highest in the region, while Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district recorded an AQI of 295.
  • The pollution control boards in both states attribute the decline to a combination of factors, including extended Diwali celebrations and stubble burning.
  • Stubble burning after harvesting paddy crops is a major contributor to the rise in air pollution, as the October-to-December window for sowing the rabi crop is short.
  • Despite a decrease in stubble burning compared to previous years, the air quality in the region has still declined significantly.
  • The AQI categories for Haryana and Punjab are based on similar criteria, with "good" air quality ranging between 0 to 50, "satisfactory" between 51 and 100, and "poor" between 201 and 300.
  • Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Ludhiana in Punjab, as well as Charkhi Dadri, Rohtak, and Yamunanagar in Haryana, recorded "very poor" air quality with AQI levels of 243, 234, and 235, respectively.

Statistics:

  • The AQI at Dharuhera industrial town in Haryana's Rewari district was 382, the highest in the region.
  • The AQI at Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district was 295, the highest in Punjab.
  • The AQI at Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Ludhiana in Punjab was 243, 234, and 235, respectively.
  • The AQI at Charkhi Dadri, Rohtak, and Yamunanagar in Haryana was 362, 358, and 347, respectively.
  • The AQI categories for Haryana and Punjab range from "good" (0-50) to "severe plus" (above 450).

Sources:

  • Central Pollution Control Board
  • Pollution control boards of Haryana and Punjab
  • Indian National Press (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd.
  • Contify.com