Indian Express Editorial Analysis

Towards Clean Air: Addressing Stubble Burning for Pollution Reduction in NCR

Supreme Court’s Stance on Stubble Burning

• Action Call: The Supreme Court criticized the Centre and state governments for insufficient action on stubble burning, a significant pollution contributor.
• Article 21 Reference: Right to a pollution-free environment emphasized under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Contribution to Pollution: Stubble burning adds 5-30% to NCR’s pollution, primarily from Punjab and Haryana.

 

Key Pollution Sources in Delhi-NCR

• Main Sources: Include local traffic, industrial emissions, construction dust, road dust, and biomass burning.

 

Causes of Stubble Burning

1. Legislative Cause:
   • Water Conservation Acts: Passed in 2009 by Punjab and Haryana, restrict paddy sowing before mid-June, leading to late harvest and burning.
2. Labour and Timing Constraints:
   • Harvesting Window: Short window for harvesting makes labor costly and scarce.
   • Mechanical Harvesting: Leaves two-feet stubble, which is then burnt for the next crop.
3. Cost of Management:
   • Expense: Manual management of stubble costs approximately Rs 4,000 per acre, often unaffordable.

 

Impact of Stubble Burning

• Soil Degradation:
  • Reduces essential soil nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).
  • Destroys beneficial organisms like earthworms, degrading soil quality.
• Increased Fertilizer Need: Replenishing nutrients increases fertilizer usage and import bills.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Contributes harmful gases to the atmosphere.

 

Potential Solutions

1. Manual Harvesting Promotion:
   • Benefits: No stubble left, providing animal fodder and improving soil health.
   • Incentive: Government should pay farmers Rs 4,000 per acre, partly funded by MGNREGA, to promote manual harvesting and address rural unemployment.
2. Crop Diversification:
   • Alternative Crops: MSP and assured purchases for cereals, pulses, and oilseeds could reduce paddy farming.
   • Water Conservation: Less reliance on water-intensive crops aligns with self-sufficiency goals for oils and pulses.
3. Supportive Policy Shift:
   • Support vs. Penalty: Instead of penalizing, governments should support sustainable practices and diversify crops to tackle NCR’s pollution.

Conclusion

Investing in manual harvesting and sustainable agricultural practices would improve Delhi-NCR air quality, preserve soil health, reduce pollution, and support climate goals. This shift could serve as an effective model for climate action, benefiting both rural and urban communities.

 

 

 

Indian Express Editorial Analysis

The BRICS Summit: A Stage for Global Politics

 

The Role of Political Summits

• Theatrical Nature: Summits are staged, public performances, focusing on displays of power and unity rather than concrete policy-making.
• Public Messaging: Primarily aim to demonstrate unity and relevance through joint communiques and public declarations, appealing to both global and domestic audiences.

 

Key Performances at the BRICS Summit

1. Staging BRICS’ Relevance:
   • Annual Display of Cohesion: Through joint statements on global issues, BRICS demonstrates its unity.
   • Symbolic Significance: The focus is on messaging solidarity, not necessarily on actionable policies.
2. Domestic Image Building:
   • Leadership Display: Leaders showcase competence, affirming their nation’s prestige.
   • Public Role for Diplomats: Summits highlight the work of diplomats, usually less visible.
3. Anti-Western Sentiment:
   • Platform for Anti-Americanism: China leads this stance, with Russia as a vocal supporter, backed by other BRICS members.
   • Shared Grievances: Each BRICS nation aligns differently, driven by specific grievances with Western policies.

 

Strategic Messaging by BRICS Nations

• Russia: Uses BRICS to signal that it is not isolated despite sanctions.
• China: Positions itself as a leader of an alternative global order.
• India: Signals to the US that it maintains multiple international alliances and resists external interference.

 

Impact on Global Politics

• Multipolar World Advocacy:
  • Checks and Balances: BRICS supports a multipolar order, balancing Western dominance.
  • Benefits for Smaller Nations: Encourages a more flexible global environment, allowing smaller nations more diplomatic options.

Conclusion

BRICS’ purpose is symbolic—signaling an alternative approach to global politics, which, despite limited actionable outcomes, challenges the dominant world order and promotes the idea of a balanced, multipolar international system.