Jalandhar, October 18 Despite state government’s efforts to spread awareness against stubble burning, there seems to be no let-up in the practice. The region engulfed in dense smog throughout the day, remained cloudy and dusty in the morning and by the evening, smog was developed, which inconvenienced commuters. Residents also complained of irritation in their eyes. Harbir Singh, Senior Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said, “As of now, we can’t say if it is smog. Machines measuring the Air Quality Index are installed here, including one at Circuit House. But to calculate it, the scientific wing needs some time.” Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma today flagged off six vans of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department to disseminate information about ill-effects of the practice in villages. The DC said it was the need of the hour to make farmers aware of the hazardous effects of the practice, which was posing a danger to both human life and the environment. He said the ultra-modern vans equipped with audio-video aides would be instrumental in awakening the farmers about the need for paddy straw management. They would also make use of pamphlets and posters to spread awareness. Farm residue could also play an important role in enhancing the fertility of the soil, he said. He said abandoning the practice would be a real tribute to Guru Nanak on his 550th Parkash Purab as he was a nature lover and advocated ‘Pawan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dharat Mahatt’. The state government was providing huge subsidies to the farmers for purchasing the equipment that could be useful in effective paddy straw management. Sharma said due to the practice several major nutrients and other micronutrients of soil were getting destroyed, whereas, the soil health improved drastically, if the residue of straw was mixed in the soil. Students’ drive against stubble-burning Students from various schools across rural areas here today became ‘ambassadors of anti-stubble-burning campaign’ of the state government. They took to streets to sensitise people about the need to conserve the environment by abandoning the practice of burning paddy straw. Students participated in rallies organised in their respective schools to disseminate the message of clean, green and pollution-free Punjab. The move was a part of the state government’s initiative to minimise the incidences of paddy straw burning in the state as the government has received flak from various quarters. Students made use of placards and banners to spread awareness against the practice. It was the state government’s initiative to involve students of various schools across the district to bring about awareness. Students of primary, middle, high and senior secondary schools in rural areas, both in government and private sector, participated in the rallies held from 9 to 10 am. The farmers were apprised to preserve the fertility of soil by saying no to the practice.

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