Delhi-NCR's air pollution is spiking again from poor to hazardous levels, as Punjab and Haryana recorded a higher number of stubble burning incidents this season so far, compared to the same period last year.

As of 19th October, different parts of the capital recorded pollution levels between 150-300, with the winds from the northwest bringing pollutants from farm fires and exacerbating the already poor air quality in the city. It's the same story year after year, but is there any plan to address it?

Recently, even the SC had to step in and appoint a one-man panel consisting of Justice Lokur to monitor state initiatives to curb stubble burning, while the Delhi government and the Centre are looking at 'Pusa Decomposer' — a fungi capsule developed by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) to prevent stubble burning. But how does it work and will it help? Tune in to The Big Story!

References:

MONITORING PADDY RESIDUE BURNING IN NORTH INDIA USING SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING DURING 2020

Punjab farm fires send smog signal to Delhi; hope in panchayat action

Could fungus help stop stubble burning and reduce pollution in North India?

How Can We Solve the Problem of Stubble Burning?

Producer and Host: Shorbori Purkayastha Guests: Vivian Fernandes, Senior journalist who runs an agro-focussed website — Smart Indian Agriculture Vimlendu Jha, Environmentalist

Editor: Shelly Walia

Music: Big Bang Fuzz

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