Are Some Farmers Fooling NASA, Korean Satellites to Dodge Stubble Burning Detection?

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Monday raised concerns over discrepancies in data related to stubble burning in Delhi and neighbouring regions, which is a major contributor to worsening air quality. court stressed need for comprehensive and accurate reporting of all farm fire incidents and directed compliance updates by Friday. 

During hearing, Senior vocate Aparajita Singh, amicus curiae in MC Mehta case, informed a bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih about discrepancies in satellite data.

She explained that Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) receives data from a NASA satellite, which passes over National Capital Region between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm daily. Consequently, reported farm fires are limited to se timeframes.

In contrast, data from a stationary Korean satellite captured stubble-burning incidents at 4:20 pm, revealing gaps in coverage provided by NASA's polar-orbiting satellite.

‘Farmers Might Be Avoiding Satellite Monitoring Times’

Hiren Jethva, a senior research scientist at NASA, raised concerns about possibility that farmers in northwest India and Pakistan might be deliberately avoiding satellite monitoring times. On October 25, Jethva posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Are farmers in NW India and Pakistan avoiding satellite overpass time for stubble burning?

A close eyeballing of GEO-KOMPSAT 2A (launched by South Korea) geostationary satellite images shows localized puffs/clouds of smoke in late afternoon. Needs ground checking." His observation suggests that farmers may be timing ir stubble burning activities to avoid satellite overpasses, thus eving detection.

NASA’s Aqua and Suomi-NPP satellites, part of a collaboration between NASA and NOAA, pass over India and Pakistan between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm IST, capturing images that can identify stubble burning. In contrast, GEO-KOMPSAT-2A satellite, positioned in a geostationary orbit, offers continuous monitoring every 10 minutes. Jethva's analysis of this satellite's data revealed that fire activity seemed to shift to late afternoon, after NASA satellites h alrey passed.

Discrepancies in Government Data

Data from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and or governmental bodies suggests a notable reduction in stubble burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana . From September 15 to November 17, 2024, Punjab recorded 8,404 cases of stubble burning, a significant drop from 33,082 during same period in 2023. Similarly, Haryana saw a reduction from 2,031 in 2023 to 1,082 in 2024.

However, despite se reported declines, concentration of aerosol particles contributing to air pollution in region has remained largely unchanged over past six to seven years. This ongoing pattern raises doubts about true impact of reported reductions in stubble burning.

SC Takes Note of Differences  

Taking note of se differences, bench directed government as well as Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to make immediate arrangements for getting data eir from Korean stationary satellites or any or stationary satellites so that data of farm fires throughout day can be me available to states to enable m to take immediate actions.

bench furr said that Commission and Centre will also involve ISRO in taking this step. “ ultimate object should be to show that all instances of farm fire burning throughout day are reported to concerned states, so that prompt action be taken.
    
"Compliance on this aspect shall be reported by this Friday,” bench ordered and ded that Centre and CAQM will procure data from stationary satellites from October 1, 2024.

Delhi-NCR AQI Turn ‘Hazardous’

Delhi-NCR woke up to hazardous air quality this morning, with Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing 500 mark—nearly ten times healthy range of 0-50, leaving residents gasping for breath.

Supreme Court today expressed frustration with delay in enforcing stringent measures under Gred Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat city’s worsening air pollution. Flagging what it described as “wrong approach” to implementing restrictions, bench asserted that authorities should not wait for AQI to improve but should take proactive measures in anticipation of furr deterioration.

" commission cannot wait for improvement in AQI. It should take steps in anticipation," bench stated.

court furr directed all states in National Capital Region (NCR) to immediately enforce GRAP 4 restrictions and establish committees to ensure strict herence to curbs. It also me it clear that GRAP 4 restrictions will remain in effect even if AQI drops below 450 mark.

"We make it clear that till furr orders of this court, implementation of stage 4 shall continue even if AQI falls below 450. All state and central governments to file compliance affidavit by Thursday," court ruled.