‘Stubble-Burning Incidents Have Declined’: Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said incidents of stubble burning had declined compared to previous years, with around 40 per cent of paddy stubble utilised through ex-situ management this year.

Speaking about measures to tackle air pollution, Yadav said more comprehensive environmental action plans had been drawn up this year. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also set up a dedicated dashboard to monitor their implementation and track progress.

"Around 40 per cent of the paddy stubble has been utilised through ex-situ management this time. I have also shared the relevant data. There has certainly been a decline in stubble-burning incidents compared to previous years," Yadav said.

CAQM MONITORS WEATHER CONDITIONS

The minister said CAQM was continuously monitoring meteorological factors, including wind direction, wind speed and the movement of air, to assess pollution conditions and determine the necessary interventions.

"Based on these assessments, the necessary steps are being taken. CAQM has issued directions in coordination with all the concerned state governments to ensure implementation of the required measures," he said.

Ex-situ management involves collecting and transporting crop residue for use outside agricultural fields, including as fuel and for industrial purposes, rather than burning it in the fields.

DELHI GOVERNMENT CLAIMS CLEANEST OCTOBER IN A DECADE

Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the national capital had recorded its cleanest October in more than a decade. He also claimed that the National Capital Region had recorded 220 clean-air days in 2026, the highest in the past 10 years.

Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) this year was the lowest in a decade, with a 10 per cent improvement compared to previous years. He also claimed that the annual average AQI had declined.

Sirsa credited the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government and residents for the improvement, while accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of facilitating stubble burning and manipulating pollution data.

With inputs from ANI