Air quality improves to moderate from poor in Kurukshetra

After remaining in the poor category for the past several days, the air quality in Kurukshetra has improved to moderate over the last two days, giving the much needed respite to local residents before Diwali.

The air quality index (AQI) of the Central Pollution Control Board recorded an average particulate matter (PM) 2.5 at 154 on Wednesday, while it was 174 on Tuesday.

As per information, no fresh farm fire incident was reported in the district on Wednesday. So far, 111 incidents of farm fires have been reported, of which 81 have been confirmed in this season so far.

Taking action against the offenders, the Agriculture Department has imposed Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) of Rs 1.50 lakh on 60 farmers, while red entries have also been made in the farm records of offenders on Meri Fasal, Mera Byora portal. The department has also got 66 FIRs registered.

Deputy Director Agriculture, Kurukshetra, Karam Chand said, “There has been significant drop in the number of active fire locations in the district. No farm fire incident was reported today and of the 111 incidents only 81 were confirmed. Nearly 98 per cent paddy stubble has been managed in the district. The drop in the farm fires coupled with an increase in the wind speed and also strict monitoring on garbage burning has improved the air quality. After being reported in the poor category over the past several days, the air quality is being reported moderate over the last two days.”

Meanwhile, state Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana also appealed to the farmers not to burn the crop residue and mix the stubble back into the soil as it was beneficial for the land and also protects environment. He was here at Ban village of Kurukshetra to attend a programme on crop residue management organised by the Agriculture Department.

The minister said, “We have to make collective efforts to stop environment pollution. The Supreme Court has taken a serious note of the situation, hence the farmers should also understand the gravity of the situation and mix the stubble back into the soil.”

While addressing the farmers, he said, by mixing the residue back into the soil the farmers could increase the fertility of the soil and the requirement of fertilisers would reduce.