These particles are all pollution related and they happen due to the following reasons.

Vehicular Pollution

The large number of vehicles on the road including public transport and the movement of trucks from outside Delhi is a major cause of air pollution.

Stubble Burning

After the crops are harvested, the remaining part of the plant is called stubble which is useless to the farmer. The most economical and fast option for the farmer is to burn it. Smog in winter begins in Delhi as soon as the crop burning starts.

Industrial activity

All along the borders of Delhi there are industries and power plants which run on coal and add to the air pollution.

Overcrowding

Increase in population increases activity and gives rise to pollution.

Other factors

Several factors give rise to pollution like burning of waste and leaves, brooming of roads and public places and so on.

Effects of pollution

Breathing problems and breathing related illnesses are not very common among children as well as elders. Those who already have problems or medical conditions, their situation worsens.

Low visibility leads to delay of trains and cancellation of flights.

The Air Quality Index reaches severe levels where it is not even fit to live.

Measures taken by Government

Lot of efforts are being made to convince farmers to use alternate means to remove crop stubble. Due to these, many farmers have adopted measures to avoid burning their crops.

Any type of burning activity is banned in Delhi.

Innovative measures like Odd Even rule and carpooling is encouraged though awareness.

Thermal plants and such factories have been asked to shift outside Delhi or use alternate means of energy.

People are encouraged not to celebrate festivals like Diwali by burning crackers.  

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Crop burning or stubble burning is done to clear the farm land after harvest. It is an ancient practice which instantly sends the pollution levels spiking in Delhi NCR leaving the residents gasping and choking to death. Especially vulnerable are children and elderly who face drops in immunity levels and all sorts of complications. Even adults find it difficult to go about their daily routine going out to work. This season as everyone discovered that the impact of COVID worsened because the virus affects the lungs and breathing mechanism of the body leading to a spike of cases and the so called third wave of infections. The top court of the country has acknowledged that the situation is bad. Govt kicked in action a slew of measures locally but the problem of stubble burning remains, largely untouched.

Technology is the key

Farmers are a privilege group. Their efforts feed the nation. They do not pay taxes and usually have their way whenever there is a controversy. But this time they have dipped their hands in the wrong basket. It is the sheer idioticity of their demands which will lead to their downfall. Technology and changes have been offered to them, while they continue rejecting them citing various reasons. For how long will they ignore real dangers. If giving up stubble burning is economically unviable then please give up farming and farm land and make way for someone who can, the modern way. Their demands seems more like blackmail which the vast majority may not agree.

From the famers perspective, after paddy is harvested there is a small window of 15-20 days within which they have to clear their farms to sow wheat. Burning the leftover is the quickest and most cheapest alternative. State Governments have invested massive money and effort in providing alternatives to farmers. But the one biggest factor which is lacking is a coordinated push from all agencies involved. From sowing and harvesting machines to the bio degradable PUSA, everything has been offered to the farmers. The time has come for farmers to shrug off their insensitivity and contribute their part in saving nature.

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