The thick blanket of smog that has enveloped entire southern-western Malwa region of Punjab these days has become a cause for concern. The haze is so dense that motorists are finding it difficult to drive. Scientists say the burning of paddy stubble by farmers was to blame for the situation, which is likely to worsen post-Divali due to the extra smoke that would be emitted by bursting of crackers. The practice of burning paddy waste, say scientists, is not only leading to pollution but also poses a risk to health. Dr Ramanjaneyulu GV, executive director at Centre for Sustainable Agriculture in Hyderabad, says on an average, Punjab farmers burn 196 lakh tonnes of wheat and paddy stubble each year. The burning of a tonne of straw releases 3 kg particulate matter, 60 kg carbon monoxide, 1,460 kg carbon oxide, 199 kg ash and 2 kg sulphur oxide in the air. Apart from this, the practice causes massive loss to the soil, both in terms of nutrients and microorganisms, he says. Umendra Dutt, executive director of Kheti Virasat Mission, says, “Farmers have been burning wheat and paddy stubble only to save a few hundred rupees. The dangerous practice is bound to play havoc in the years to come. This shortsighted misadventure is going to cost dear in terms of money, time, environmental health, ecosystem and natural resources.” Kheti Virasat Mission is a voluntary organisation dedicated to the cause of sustainable and chemical free agriculture in Punjab. “What are we achieving through such unnecessary fires in our fields? We are burning wheat crop residue on more than 5,500 sq km area and rice stubble on over 12,685 sq km area each,” avers Umendra. Such large-scale burning of stubble releases trace gases along with sub micron-sized aerosols, which are known to aggravate lung and respiratory diseases. There is a sudden increase in the number of patients having irritation and burning complaints in their eyes in November when paddy stubble is burnt, says Dr Raman Goyal, an ophthalmologist in Faridkot. Choke alert The burning of straw, gathered as residue post-harvesting, leads to the emission of dangerous gases, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide Inhaling such gases depletes the red blood cell count, which adversely affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of the body People suffering from respiratory diseases, including asthma and bronchitis, which require medication for life, are among the worst sufferers The emanating smoke can also lead to problems associated with allergy Tuberculosis or even lung cancer may be the worst forms of diseases caused due to stubble burning Green loss When farmers burn stubble in fields, upper layer of the soil is rendered unfertile, thus, affecting the quality of the next crop Besides destroying friendly pests in the soil, it gives birth to unfriendly pests harmful to the next crop It also raises the level of carbon dioxide and decreases the oxygen level, which ultimately prove harmful for the crop The stubble ash can cause road accidents due to poor visibility on roads