NGT to Punjab: Explain how you plan to manage 19 mn tonnes of straw in 2024

Many farmers in North India, especially in Punjab and Haryana, burn the residue of their wheat and paddy crop in order to prepare their fields for the next round of planting. The resulting smoke contributes to the National Capital Region’s dense pre-winter smog, sending air pollution levels spiralling.

The tribunal, which was scrutinising an action-taken report filed by the Punjab government on controlling the burning of crop residue, sought more details on stubble management for both 2023 and 2024.

According to the report filed by the Punjab government, the state generated 19.50 million tonnes of paddy straw in 2023 of which 15.86 million tonnes were utilised. Of the 15.86 million tonnes, 11.5 million tonnes were managed on site and 3.66 million tonnes were used off site — in boilers, biomass plants, biogas plants, bio-ethanol plants, thermal power plants and brick kilns.

The state estimated that it would generate 19.52 million tonnes of paddy straw in 2024 of which 18.66 million tonnes would be utilised, a potential improvement over the 2023 figure. The state’s report said 12.7 million tonnes of the 18.66 million tonnes would be managed on site, with the remaining 5.96 million tonnes to be used off site in industrial plants and energy plants. This implies a nearly 60% increase in the off-site use of paddy straw.

“For the projected figures of 2024 also, such full particulars relating to in-situ (on site) and ex-situ (off site) management will be disclosed. The report will also disclose as to how the projected figures for 2024 will be achieved, the preparation for the same till now and the preparation in the coming months to achieve the target,” the bench said in its order.

With the Punjab government counsel seeking time to submit a comprehensive report, the bench granted the state time till May 5.

The bench said the state must also provide details on steps taken last year to utilise paddy straw. On this aspect, the bench said in its order: “The… report will also include details relating to the mode and manner of removal of straw from the field, its transportation to different units for ex-situ management, the capacity of such units i.e industrial boilers, biogas power plant, compressed biogas plant etc. utilising the paddy straw and the details of such utilisation supporting/justifying the figures of utilisation disclosed for 2023.”