PPCB APPEALS TO FARMERS NOT TO BURN PADDY STRAW IN LARGER PUBLIC INTEREST

ISSUES ADVISORY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PATIENTS AND CHILDREN TO AVOID VENTURING OUT IN OPEN FOR NEXT FEW DAYS
Chandigarh, October 24, 2017: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) today urged the farmers for conserving the Paddy straw in a scientific manner rather than recklessly burning this precious source.

Disclosing this here today, Mr.Roshan Sunkaria, Principal Secretary, Science & Technology said that the unprecedented increase of pollution levels in the air was health hazardous for vulnerable sections of the society such as children, students, senior citizens and the patients. He further requested the farmers who always pray for welfare of the whole humanity to take care of their families and Punjabis thereby avoiding the burning of paddy stubble.

Showing deep concern at the increased pollution level, he pointed out that the board has issued an advisory asking the senior citizens, patients and children to avoid venturing out in the open for few days and similarly the management of the schools should ensure that children are not allowed to undertake outdoor activities for the coming days.

The Air Quality Index has deteriorated mainly on account of the fact that the farmers of Punjab have been burning paddy straw at large scale. During the last 4-5 days, the level of pollution has increased tremendously. He also revealed that the situation has further worsened now. The burning of fire crackers on the day of Diwali, although comparatively much lesser than the last year, and the spurt in stubble burning fires has released particulate matter of PM 10 and PM 2.5 kind in the air which has raised pollution of air to dangerous level.