Surender Kumar is a professor in the Department of Business Economics, Delhi University, New Delhi, and is one of the lead authors of IPCC AR5. Laxmi Joshi works at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the National Council of Applied Economic Research, India.
Agricultural Growth in Punjab
The rice-wheat cycle has led to overexploitation of groundwater resources in the state. The use of a combine harvester has exacerbated the problem of crop residue management as it leaves a large amount of rice residue to be burned in the open fields.
Agricultural Residue Burning and Its Management
Field preparation also includes removing or using rice straw left in the field. One of those inputs that has become the most popular implement in the rice and wheat harvesting system is the use of the combined mechanized harvester.
Main Objectives of the Study
The results of the Australian component of the project communicate directly to policy makers in the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC). The findings and recommendations would be relevant to addressing crop residue concerns for rice, where most of the Australian rice industry is located in NSW, and other crops.
An Overview
Subsequently, some details of the agricultural production (productivity) among the selected households and some health indicators are presented in the chapter, followed by the theoretical model and estimation strategy and the results of monetary estimates of the health consequences of air pollution. The chapter presents literature on various aspects of residues generated in the field, chemical composition of the residue, amount of pollution caused by residue burning, negative impact of burning on human and animal health and different ways of dealing with stubble.
Introduction
The result is the emission of smoke, which, when added to airborne gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia, can cause serious air pollution. This results in the emission of smoke which, when added to gases present in the air such as methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia, can cause serious atmospheric pollution.
The Produce of Crop Stubble and Its Burning
Straw/Residue to Grain Ratio
To obtain the average amount of rice straw generated and burned in the state, the Residue to Product Ratio (RPR) must be known. Therefore, no straw is left behind for open burning in the field in the case of basmati.
Chemical Composition of Rice and Wheat Stubble
Volume of Pollution Caused by Crop Stubble Burning
According to the findings of the study, in the states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, all crop waste is burnt in the field. According to the National Biomass Resources Assessment (NBRA), 23% of the total amount of paddy straw produced in the field is surplus.
Effects of Crop Stubble Burning on the Fertility of the Soil
International Experience
In the United Kingdom, a ban on crop stubble burning led to a decrease in ammonia emissions from 20 Gg of nitrogen per year in 1981 to 3.3 Gg of nitrogen per year in 1991. According to Gupta and Sahai from the wheat crop residues nitrogen is lost as ammonia when burned. 2003) observed in the case of New Zealand, a ton of wheat residue burned releases 2.4 kg of nitrogen.
Health Impacts of Pollution Due to Residue Burning
In addition, the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere due to the burning of stubble causes the depletion of oxygen layers in the natural environment, causing the greenhouse effect. According to Singh et al. 2008), more than 60% of the population in Punjab lives in rice growing areas and is exposed to air pollution from rice stubble burning.
Management of Crop Stubble
- In Situ Incorporation
- Alternative Uses of Crop Stubble
- Cost of Alternate Uses
- End Use of Rice Residue in Different Districts of Punjab
In Ferozepore district, 18.8% of the rice stubble is provided to poor landless families, 8.8% is processed into the soil and the rest 68.1% is incinerated. It can be noted that except in the Ferozepore district, the rice stubble in the rest of the state has hardly been worked into the ground.
Summary of the Chapter
Crop residue management in rice grain system of the Indo-Gangetic Plain [as a separate publication]. Effect of applied organic manure, crop residues and nitrogen in a rice-wheat cropping system in the northwestern Himalayas.
Introduction
The consumer choice model is used to derive the monetary values of the reduced level of air pollution to the safe level. In the present study, we use a similar consumer choice model to derive monetary estimates of the reduced level of air pollution to the safe level for rural Punjab.
Ambient Air Quality Level in Study Area
Tobit and Poisson models are found to be suitable for estimating mitigation costs and workday lost equations, respectively. At all three monitoring sites, the difference in humidity and temperature levels was negligible and the wind speed was found to be in the range of 0-3.6 km/h.
Household Survey Design and Data
The subsections also provide information on whether a certain individual suffers from any chronic disease. Data on habits include whether the individual is used to smoking, drinking alcohol or
The Survey Results
The Household and Farming Characteristics
There were also questions about the general awareness of households about the diseases that occur as a result of air pollution. The former section provides information on the expenditure on formal medication such as fee paid to a doctor, expenditure on the allopathic medicine, cost of hospitalization etc.
Management of Stubble Among the Selected Farmers
Lack of time when sowing wheat after harvesting the paddy is further confirmed by data shown in table 3.10. Similarly, farmers who burned paddy fields used added amounts of di-ammonia phosphate (DAP) to recover the nutrient lost in the fire compared to those who incorporated or removed stubble manually (Table 3.16).
The Effect of Crop Stubble Burning on Human Health
Some respondents pointed out that the district commissioner directed gram panchayats to prevent stubble burning (Table 3.21). Percentage of affected members who perceive the severity of the problem increasing at the time of crop stubble fire Medical expenses incurred due to acute problem during the crop stubble fire (Oct–Nov 08) Absence from work for each illness during Oct–Nov 2008 Chronic illness (Rs. per affected member).
Methodology
Theoretical Model
Suppose that an individual maximizes his/her utility by spending on traded goods and services, X.6 Utilities do not only depend on X, but also on an individual's health condition, H, which is affected by the level of air quality (not marketed well). It is further assumed that the quality of contaminated air, P is beyond the control of individuals, but individuals can partially reduce its effects by making protective expenditures, D. The utility function is defined as:.
Estimation Strategy
Thus, our measure of social loss due to contaminated air provides the lower bound of the value. Note that the dependent variable in Eq. 3.9) is a censored variable, i.e., the dependent variable is zero for the corresponding known values of the independent variables for a portion of the sample.
The Model Results
Welfare Loss
The welfare loss in terms of health damage due to increase in the concentration of particles due to the burning of rice straw in the environment can be estimated in terms of increase in the medical expenditure on mitigation activities and the opportunity cost of working days lost and spent in Table 3.25.
Increase in Medical Expenditure
Total rural population projected for October 2008 based on Census 2001 is 1,083 thousand and 16,839 thousand for Patiala district and Punjab state respectively. Extrapolating this welfare loss to the entire rural population of Patiala and Punjab, it is estimated to be Rs.
Opportunity Cost of Increase in Workdays Lost
If the ambient PM10 level is reduced from the level observed during the rice harvest period in rural Punjab to the safe level (ie, a reduction of 207 µg/m3 since the safe level defined in the NAAQS is 100 µg/m3 for 24 hours average), the estimated reduction in medical expenses works out to be Rs. There are additional monetary costs to burning farmers in terms of additional fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation, as shown by the survey results discussed in Section 4.
Summary of the Chapter
We find that the total annual welfare loss in terms of health damage due to air pollution caused by paddy straw burning in rural Punjab amounts to Rs. Valuing the benefits of reducing air pollution using health production function: A case study of Panipat Thermal Power Station, India.
Introduction
This chapter outlines some of these alternative uses such as: use of rice residues as feed; use of rice residues in bio-thermal power plants; its use for mushroom cultivation, for bedding material for cattle; its use for the production of bio-oil; paper production; bio-gas and in situ. Keywords Alternative uses of rice residues · End use of rice straw · Residue use as feed · Residue use in bio-thermal · In-situ incorporation.
Disposal Pattern of Paddy Straw
However, in the case of rice straw, its collection is a tedious task and its availability is limited at harvest time. The fourth section discusses in detail about the utilization of waste in energy generation citing various biomass energy projects authorized in the state by the Punjab Power Development Agency (PEDA).
Management of Agricultural Waste for Alternate Uses
- Use of Rice Residue as Fodder for Animals
- Use of Crop Residue in Bio Thermal Power Plants
- Use of Rice Residue as Bedding Material for Cattle
- Use of Crop Residue for Mushroom Cultivation
- Use of Rice Residue in Paper Production
- Use of Rice Residue for Making Bio Gas
- In Situ
- Incorporation of Paddy Straw in Soil
- Production of Bio-oil from Straw and Other
It was also found that the use of paddy straw leads to increased net profit of Rs. Paddy straw mushroom accounts for 16 % of the total production of cultivated mushroom in the world.
Agricultural Residues for Power Generation
Energy Technologies
In contrast to straw, the use of rice husk for energy has been realized more quickly. The following sections describe the main features of potential energy conversion technologies, experiences and technical difficulties in using sand straw.
Thermal Combustion
Punjab has significant biomass/agro-waste availability in the state sufficient to generate about 1,000 MW of electricity. Malwa Power Ltd., in Gulabevala village of Muketsar district, was started before PEDA took over with 6 MW.
Summary of the Chapter
Crop residue burning in the Indo-Gangetic plains - A study using IRSP6 WiFS satellite data. Straw decomposition in soil and the effect of field straw incorporation on wheat yield.
Introduction
Ministry of Environment and Forest
The Ministry undertakes various activities such as prevention and control of pollution, conservation and recording of flora and fauna, forests and wildlife, protection of the environment, etc., within the framework of legislation. ENVIS—a gateway to sustainable development (http://punenvis.nic.in/ind . ex2.aspx?slid=56&mid=1&langid=1&sublinkid=35) 3.
Clean Technology Division
The clean technology department has laid down various goals for the adoption of clean technology in India. Kannan, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University for providing financial assistance to prospective proposals for the development and implementation of clean technology.
Control of Pollution Division
These include setting up more research and development institutes in India for the development, evaluation and adoption of these cleaner technologies, creating awareness about the existence of such technology in India or abroad, and providing the necessary financial support for the adoption of these technologies. Dealing with all matters related to river pollution not covered by the National River Conservation Program (NRCP).
Various Laws to Control Pollution in India
- Water Act (Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974)
- Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981
- The Environment Protection Act, 1986
- The Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986
- The National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995
- The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997
- The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Pursuant to section (4) of the Air Act, any State which has a State Water Pollution Control and Prevention Board under Section 4 of the Water Act must also act as a State Air Pollution Prevention and Control Board. , in accordance with Article (5) of the Air Act, with all the required powers to perform their duties. The Environmental Protection Act does not require the establishment of a central committee for this.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Functions of the Central Board
Additionally, background data of air quality is also provided to facilitate setting up of industrial units and urban planning. Regarding water quality standards, CPCB has initiated Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Program.
National Ambient Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP)
Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Programme
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)
The strategy of Punjab Pollution Control Board to control environmental pollution in Punjab includes. The Punjab Pollution Control Board has laid down guidelines regarding pollution control for any entrepreneur who wants to set up an industrial unit in the state of Punjab.
Punjab State Council for Science and Technology
Under the provisions of the Water (Protection and Conservation) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, any entrepreneur who wants to set up a new industrial unit or wants to expand his existing industrial unit in the State of Punjabis are required to obtain a 'consent to establish' (No Objection Certificate) from the Punjab Pollution Control Board. Industries that do not fall under any of the above three categories, the decision regarding their categorization will be taken by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB).
Environment Division
The Environmental Management Capacity Building-Environmental Information System (EMCB-ENVIS) Node for State Environmental Affairs was established at the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology in December 2002 under the World Bank assisted project (EMCB-ENVIS) of Ministry of Environment and Forests for identifying the state of the environment and related issues. In January 2005, the node was upgraded to the ENVIS Centre, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the tenth 5-year plan.
Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA)
Punjab Biodiversity Board
Summary of the Chapter
In this chapter we try to analyze the contribution of crop stubble burning in the emission of harmful gases and particles into the air. Burning crop stubble results in the emission of various harmful gases and particles into the air.
Monitoring and Recording the Levels of Pollution in Punjab
The Central Pollution Control Board has created National Ambient Air Quality Standards that all states in India have to follow. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), all states in India must comply with national ambient air quality standards (Table 6.3).
Existing Policies to Control Air Pollution
- Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)
- Agriculture Councils
- Punjab State Council for Science and Technology
- Department of Agriculture
- Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA)
- Department of Animal Husbandry
- Punjab Agricultural University
- Punjab State Farmers’ Commission
- Department of Rural Development and Panchayats
- Agriculture Diversification
- Promotion of Zero Tillage
- Management of Agricultural Waste
- Utilization of Straw and Husk
- Use of Rice Residue as Fodder for Animals
- Use of Crop Residue in Bio Thermal Power Plants
- Use of Rice Residue as Bedding Material for Cattle
- Use of Crop Residue for Mushroom Cultivation
- Use of Rice Residue in Paper Production
- Use of Rice Residue for Making Bio Gas
- Other Measures
According to a 2006 Punjab State Environment Council report, crop stubble burning is banned in the state. It is believed that almost 40% of the wheat straw produced in the state is used as
Summary of the Chapter
Moreover, it is believed that the Government of Punjab regularly publishes the negative impacts of crop stubble burning in local newspapers. This study finds that the total annual welfare loss in terms of health damages due to air pollution caused by rice straw burning in rural Punjab amounts to Rs.
Introduction
Although several studies in the literature have addressed this issue of burning the crop stubble, none have highlighted the adverse effects of this unwarranted practice on human and animal health. Then the harmful effects of the pollution caused by the burning of rice stubble on human and animal health are studied.
Summary of the Findings
One of the known threats to the sustainability of the rice-wheat cropping system is the loss of soil organic matter as a result of the burning of rice-wheat residues in the fields. The Ministry of Forests and Environment is a vital agency in the administrative structure of the Union Government.
Policy Recommendations and Research Needs
Field management, composting by chemical means and straw mulching by mechanical means should be encouraged. Chemical, petrochemical and electrochemical, including the production of acids such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, etc.
