NEW DELHI: The share of waste burning in Delhi’s air is likely to be around 2% for the next four days, according to the Decision Support System, which is the forecasting model under the Union ministry of earth sciences.
However, experts have said the contribution of open burning in Delhi’s air will rise significantly after winter sets in. Poor and homeless people tend to burn whatever they get to beat the cold.
According to the real-time source apportionment study of Delhi Pollution Control Committee and IIT Kanpur, the share of biomass burning (wood, dung and agriculture residue) was 24% from November 2022 to January 29, 2023.
A study by IIT-Delhi in 2021 showed that winter haze episodes in January were highly affected by biomass-burning emissions, likely from the local burning of wood, coal or roadside trash for heating or cooking.
Similarly, a 2018 joint report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Automotive Research Association of India stated that fuel, mainly biomass burning, in residences and agricultural fields contributed 14% in PM2.5 concentrations and 13% in PM10 concentrations in winter.
Sachchida N Tripathi from the civil engineering department at IIT Kanpur and a member of the steering committee for the National Clean Air Programme, said: “The share of open burning is around 10% to 40% during winter, according to several studies. Even during peak burning, the contribution of stubble burning increases to 40% in Delhi’s air.”
He said: “The prominent source is stubble burning, but other forms of burning increase, like space and water heating during winter. People burn trash, wood, coal and make bonfires.”
Suggesting ways to deal with open burning, Sunil Dahiya, an analyst with the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), said: “It should be ensured that the offices and RWAs provide electric heaters and sweaters to their guards so they can keep themselves warm. Electric heaters should also be provided at shelter homes. Besides, awareness should be created among public and MCD employees for ensuring proper disposal of waste dumps.”
He added that people should also report instances of open burning on the Green Delhi App and other social media platforms.
According to the environment department, 59,729 garbage burning sites have been inspected from October 2022 to September 30 this year and a total fine of Rs 9.45 lakh has been imposed. Of these, 12,558 garbage-burning sites were inspected between July and September this year. Besides, DPCC has identified 167 vulnerable spots of industrial waste burning for monitoring of open burning incidences.
However, experts have said the contribution of open burning in Delhi’s air will rise significantly after winter sets in. Poor and homeless people tend to burn whatever they get to beat the cold.
According to the real-time source apportionment study of Delhi Pollution Control Committee and IIT Kanpur, the share of biomass burning (wood, dung and agriculture residue) was 24% from November 2022 to January 29, 2023.
A study by IIT-Delhi in 2021 showed that winter haze episodes in January were highly affected by biomass-burning emissions, likely from the local burning of wood, coal or roadside trash for heating or cooking.
Similarly, a 2018 joint report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Automotive Research Association of India stated that fuel, mainly biomass burning, in residences and agricultural fields contributed 14% in PM2.5 concentrations and 13% in PM10 concentrations in winter.
Sachchida N Tripathi from the civil engineering department at IIT Kanpur and a member of the steering committee for the National Clean Air Programme, said: “The share of open burning is around 10% to 40% during winter, according to several studies. Even during peak burning, the contribution of stubble burning increases to 40% in Delhi’s air.”
He said: “The prominent source is stubble burning, but other forms of burning increase, like space and water heating during winter. People burn trash, wood, coal and make bonfires.”
Suggesting ways to deal with open burning, Sunil Dahiya, an analyst with the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), said: “It should be ensured that the offices and RWAs provide electric heaters and sweaters to their guards so they can keep themselves warm. Electric heaters should also be provided at shelter homes. Besides, awareness should be created among public and MCD employees for ensuring proper disposal of waste dumps.”
He added that people should also report instances of open burning on the Green Delhi App and other social media platforms.
According to the environment department, 59,729 garbage burning sites have been inspected from October 2022 to September 30 this year and a total fine of Rs 9.45 lakh has been imposed. Of these, 12,558 garbage-burning sites were inspected between July and September this year. Besides, DPCC has identified 167 vulnerable spots of industrial waste burning for monitoring of open burning incidences.
