CAQM in talks with Punjab, Haryana to improve stubble burning estimation protocol
The Commission for Air Quality Management is collaborating with ISRO and state authorities in Punjab and Haryana to improve the accuracy of stubble burning measurements. Previous data has been criticized for being inaccurate due to farmers shifting burning times to avoid satellite detection.
Why it matters
Accurate monitoring of agricultural fires is essential for implementing effective policies to mitigate severe winter air pollution in the Delhi NCR region.
As part of its preparation to buffer winter pollution in the Delhi national capital region, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) said it was in discussion with authorities in Punjab and Haryana to improve measurement of stubble fires.
“While the fire counts reported from satellite passes may not be the most accurate picture of the extent of farm fires, we are in talks with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as well as Punjab to have better ‘ground truthing’ protocols,” Rajesh Varma, Chairman, CAQM said at a press briefing on Thursday (September 3, 2026).
Farm fires in Punjab are a major contributor to pollution during some weeks of October and November when monsoon withdrawal stalls westerly winds that flush out particulate matter pollution from vehicles, industry, road dust, agriculture waste and in the run-up to Deepavali, crackers.
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