Stubble burning in north-west India is an incentive and measurement problem as much as an enforcement problem. Analyse the structural causes and evaluate a sustainable policy mix to address it. (250 words)

Stubble burning is the visible endpoint of a paddy-wheat production system shaped by procurement, subsidised power, delayed harvesting and a narrow sowing window. The editorial therefore favours incentives and reliable measurement alongside regulation.

1. Assured procurement and MSP for paddy and wheat discourage crop diversification in Punjab and Haryana. 2. Free or cheap groundwater-powered irrigation reinforces water-intensive paddy despite depletion. 3. The Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009 delayed transplantation, compressing the post-harvest window to roughly 10–15 days. 4. Combine harvesters leave substantial residue; manual clearing is costly and slow. 5. PUSA-44’s long duration further tightens the interval before wheat sowing. 6. Farmers face uncertain markets for alternate crops and high machinery or ex-situ treatment costs.

1. Burning releases particulate matter, carbon monoxide, VOCs and carcinogenic substances, while damaging soil organic matter and nutrients. 2. It compounds winter inversion and regional airshed pollution, making Delhi-NCR’s response inseparable from interstate coordination. 3. Polar-satellite fire counts observe limited time windows and may miss evening fires; reported reductions can therefore overstate actual land-area reduction. 4. Geostationary observations, ground verification and transparent methodology are needed for credible outcomes.

1. Expand crop diversification through assured procurement, remunerative price support and region-specific extension, rather than abrupt paddy bans. 2. Provide timely, affordable access to Happy Seeders, Super Seeders, Rotavators and direct-seeding equipment through custom-hiring centres. 3. Develop viable ex-situ markets for bio-CNG, bio-ethanol, biomass pellets and industrial feedstock, with minimum-price guarantees for residue. 4. Combine targeted incentives for compliant farmers and panchayats with penalties as a last resort, preventing coercion and collusion. 5. Coordinate Centre-State action through the Commission for Air Quality Management and publish independently verifiable indicators.

Crop diversification; MSP; procurement; groundwater depletion; Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009; in-situ CRM; ex-situ utilisation; airshed approach; satellite monitoring; CAQM; just transition.