Indian farmers must keep burning stubble despite fines, toxic smog: ‘we don’t do this for fun’
While authorities fine violators, farmers say they are forced to burn due to the short window between harvests and lack of government support
Swaran Singh is among a handful of farmers in Bhikhi village in India’s northern state of Punjab who, instead of burning his crop waste this year, has invested in a tractor and equipment to collect it for removal by a private contractor.
The paddy waste, or stubble left after harvesting, has been chopped and stacked in a corner of his farm for four or five days, he says, waiting for the contractor to dispose of it.
But time is running out, with sowing due again.
“I will wait for a few days and if no one comes to clear it, then I will set it on fire,” said Singh. “I cannot wait further, as I have to sow seeds to cultivate the next crop.”
Crop residue fires set by farmers like Singh in Punjab, India’s breadbasket state, are illegal and blamed every year for blanketing northern India and neighbouring Pakistan with a toxic smog made up of smoke, construction dust and vehicle emissions.
Air quality has deteriorated this year too, with the start of the harvest season and farm fires in late September, contributing to a public health crisis.
