Traditionally, stubble burning has been the quickest way for farmers to clear fields between rice harvesting and wheat sowing, typically in early to mid-November

In Punjab, many farmers have joiined the fight against seasonal air pollution by sending their crop stubble to recycling facilities. This move significantly lessens the winter smoke that blankets New Delhi, as the stubble is repurposed into valuable products such as biogas and bio-fertilizer.

To combat the worsening air in India’s capital New Delhi, several farmers in the neighbouring northern state of Punjab are packing off crop stubble to factories for recycling instead of torching it.

To combat the degrading air quality in the national capital, several farmers in the neighbouring northern state of Punjab are packing off crop stubble to factories for recycling instead of lighting it.

Punjab has around 12,000 villages and stubble burning is also common in other northern states.

Between November 1 and 15, Delhi logged an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 348, its cleanest early-November in three years — but that still falls in the ‘very poor’ category.

Higher pollution readings from private sources have led to concerns that the government is fudging air quality data. But the answer is more complex.

An AQI of 301–400 is classified as ‘very poor’, while 401–500 falls into the ‘severe’ category.

Farmers in over 800 Punjab villages are now using balers to collect crop stubble instead of burning it. They send it to factories where it’s turned into biogas, bio-fertiliser and cardboard.

An AQI of 301–400 is classified as ‘very poor’, while 401–500 falls into the ‘severe’ category.

The November 1 to 15 stretch that has historically produced the Capital’s foulest air — has logged its lowest average air quality index (AQI) in three years.

The November 1 to 15 stretch that has historically produced the Capital’s foulest air — has logged its lowest average air quality index (AQI) in three years.

Delhi recorded its best air quality for the first half of November in three years, but the air was still unhealthy to breathe. Experts say the slight improvement came from early Diwali, better weather conditions, and more sprinkling of water on roads.

Delhi recorded its best air quality for the first half of November in three years, but the air was still unhealthy to breathe. Experts say the slight improvement came from early Diwali, better weather conditions, and more sprinkling of water on roads.

The article highlights a significant imbalance in vehicle growth in Haryana, leading to increased pollution due to private transport

The air quality in some neighbourhoods has dropped to “very poor” as winter draws near. Experts say colder temperatures trap pollutants closer to the ground, making the problem worse.

The CAQM is thinking of placing dust sensors on important roads across Delhi and NCR to measure how much dust is in the air.

The CAQM is thinking of placing dust sensors on important roads across Delhi and NCR to measure how much dust is in the air.

The Centre's air quality body, CAQM, is examining a plan to install dust sensors along Delhi-NCR roads to monitor road dust, a major pollutant.

The CAQM is thinking of placing dust sensors on important roads across Delhi and NCR to measure how much dust is in the air.