In a recent conference held in New Delhi on July 1, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, a distinguished member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), questioned the prevailing narrative linking paddy stubble burning in Punjab to the air pollution crisis in Delhi. He emphasized the lack of scientific studies supporting claims that smoke from farm fires in Punjab significantly contributes to pollution levels in the national capital.

Speaking at the ‘Conference on Environment Friendly Paddy Cultivation’ and ‘Savior of Natural Resources and Environment Award’, Justice Agarwal expressed skepticism about attributing Delhi’s pollution solely to stubble burning in Punjab. He highlighted that Punjab’s geographical location relative to Delhi, as well as prevailing wind patterns reported by the IMD, cast doubt on the feasibility of stubble smoke traveling exclusively to Delhi without dispersing further.

Justice Agarwal criticized the selective imposition of fines and legal actions targeting farmers for stubble burning, labeling it as unjust and placing undue blame on the agricultural community. He advocated for a more nuanced approach to tackling air pollution, stressing the need for comprehensive scientific studies to accurately identify the sources and dynamics of pollution affecting Delhi.

Acknowledging local efforts and innovations among farmers to adopt environment-friendly agricultural practices, Justice Agarwal underscored the necessity for educating farmers about sustainable solutions gradually over time. He called for collective responsibility in addressing air pollution issues, emphasizing the importance of localized strategies tailored to specific regions like Punjab.

The conference aimed to honor initiatives promoting water-friendly, air-friendly, and earth-friendly methods of paddy cultivation while advocating for informed policies grounded in scientific research to mitigate environmental challenges effectively.