PPCB chairman Prof SS Marwaha deliberates on issue of paddy straw burning

Ludhiana, September 3, 2019: The Chairman of Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Prof SS Marwaha visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today to deliberate on the issue of paddy straw burning and seek support of NSS volunteers to create motivational awareness among farmers not to indulge in this practice.
He interacted with Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, and Padma Shri Awardee, and senior officials of the University. Representatives of all the four State Universities - Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar; Punjabi University, Patiala; and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, participated in the discussion.
Dr Dhillon said diligence and awareness are essential to exhort the farmers to say no to stubble burning and put paddy straw to proper use. He also informed the delegates about the crop residue management machinery and use of paddy straw for compost making, the technology developed by Department of Microbiology, PAU.
Lauding PAU’s contribution to check stubble burning in the State, Prof Marwaha said about 30,000 NSS volunteers from the colleges affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala, played a key role in reducing straw burning incidents in Punjab. "During 2018-19, the number of fire incidents as well as acreage under stubble burning had come down by 10-12 per cent as compared to 2017-18," he disclosed. Divided into 1,500 groups of 20 students who visited 4,500 villages in the State, the volunteers made the farmers aware of the harmful effects of stubble burning, he added. To expand the scope of motivational awareness programme, Prof Marwaha sought the participation of NSS volunteers of PAU and other State Universities as well.
Dr JS Mahal, Director of Extension Education, PAU, while giving a presentation on the scenario of straw burning in Punjab, said the illegal practice leads to loss of nutrients and microdiversity, deterioration of soil physical health, air pollution, health hazards and accidents. He revealed two options including in-situ management which involves wheat sowing with mulch, and incorporation; and ex-situ management which involves collection/removal and use of straw. He said, "The best utilization of paddy straw is its retention in the soil." Earlier, he welcomed PAU VC, PPCB Chairman, delegates and senior officers of PAU.
Speaking on "Zero Stubble Burning - An Environment Challenge," Dr Charanjit Singh, Scientific Officer, PPCB, observed, "During October -November, due to low temperature and inversion process, wind direction, paddy straw burning, vehicular pollution, etc., the impact is enormous." He called for humanitarian approach towards farmers to combat stubble burning in Punjab. The method has produced applaudable results in the Malwa belt of Punjab, he said, adding that PPCB wishes to replicate the model across the State.
Dr DS Bhatti, Additional Director of Extension Education, PAU, while informing about PAU’s extension activities, said trainings,Kisan Melas, farmers-scientists' interface, mobilization of school and college students, campaigns, TV/radio talks, hoardings/banners, farm literature, wall paintings (villages, bus stands, etc.) and talks by religious leaders have contributed in bringing down the straw burning incidents in Punjab.
Krunesh Garg, Member Secretary, PPCB; Prof Paramjit Singh Bhatti from GNDU; Prof Parmveer Singh from Punjabi University; Dr Nidhi Sharma from GADVASU; and GS Gill from PPCB, Ludhiana, also shared their views. They said using wisdom is vital and only PAU can equip the farmers with the apt use of paddy straw. Emphasizing on providing affordable solutions, they discussed the enrollment of NSS volunteers with focus on finances, and mobilizing and preparing them to convince farmers.
Dr Jagdish Kaur, Additional Director of Communication, coordinated the programme.