Existing Legislation on Air Pollution and Punjab Govern- ment Policy on Agriculture Waste Burning

摘要

Crop residue burning is one among the many sources of air pollution. It is essential to mitigate impacts due to the burning of agricultural waste in the open fields and its consequent effects on soil, ambient air and living organisms. Among the existing legislation on air pollution in India includes: Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981; The Environment Protection Act, 1986; The National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995; The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997 and Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Under these different Acts, provisions are made to protect the environment from all kinds of pollution related to industrial and agricultural activities. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is entrusted with the functions of planning a comprehensive programme for the prevention, control and abatement of pollution in Punjab. PPCB has to support and encourage developments in the field of pollution control. Punjab Government, its various Departments and other institutions, like Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab Farmers Commission are all making efforts to devise some alternate economic uses of rice stubble. These include the stubble treated with urea as a fodder for animals, its use in biothermal energy production, paper manufacturing, mushroom cultivation, bedding for animals, etc. Punjab Government is also providing subsidy to the farmers to promote the use of equipments which help in checking the burning of crop residues, like rotavators, happy seeders, zero-till-drills and straw reapers. An eco-friendly technology will be beneficial to the farmer community and the state by providing them a tool for improving soil health and environment for sustainable agriculture.