Dist admn, NGO team up to educate farmers on dangers of stubble burning

To combat the rising air pollution and its ill effects on residents’ health, the district administration has partnered with Lung Care Foundation to launch an awareness campaign, in rural areas, ahead of the paddy harvesting season, to educate farmers about the ill-effects of stubble burning.

As per the plan envisaged by the district administration, volunteers of the Lung Care Foundation would run the campaign from August to November, months during which the burning of crop residue in the paddy fields is at peak.

Holding camps in each block, the foundation aims to educate people about the health risks associated with air pollution, particularly due to stubble burning.

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said these camps would provide information to people about the adverse effects of air pollution of their health and the importance of protecting themselves.

Sawhney said the burning of crop residue not only destroyed soil health but also human. She said that the administration had appealed to farmers to not burn stubble, as it also destroys friendly insects that are essential for crop productivity.

“Rising air pollution is already a cause of concern. By burning crop residue, we are making the air quality worse which poses great hazard to those with breathing related ailments, elderly and even children,” she said.

The DC added that experts from Guru Nanak Dev University, and various other institutes would also be involved in the campaign.

Dr Karmin Upal from Lung Care Foundation said a team of volunteers from the foundation and Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action would cooperate with the district administration to conduct awareness sessions up to the village level.

Dr Upal stated that the objective of the campaign was to make people aware of the ill-effects of pollution and to promote sustainable practices that reduce air pollution. “By working together, the district administration and the Lung Care Foundation aim to create a healthier environment for the people of the district,” added Upal.

Amritsar