Stubble Burning — Definition
Definition
Stubble burning, also known as crop residue burning, is the practice of intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble and other plant material that remains in agricultural fields after the harvesting of crops, particularly paddy (rice) and wheat.
This practice is predominantly observed in the agricultural belts of North India, especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, following the Kharif (monsoon) harvest, typically from late October to November.
The 'stubble' refers to the lower parts of the crop stalks left standing in the field after the mechanical harvesting, often by combine harvesters. Farmers resort to this method primarily to quickly clear the fields for the subsequent Rabi (winter) crop, saving time, labour, and costs associated with alternative residue management techniques.
What qualifies as stubble burning is any deliberate ignition of crop residue in the field. Measurement conventions often rely on satellite imagery, such as data from NASA's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects thermal anomalies or 'fire counts' indicating active burning events.
These satellite observations, combined with ground-level air quality monitoring, help quantify the scale and impact of this widespread agricultural practice, which has severe implications for air quality, soil health, and public health.