NEW DELHI: At least 16 farmers have been arrested in India’s northern state of Haryana for illegally burning paddy stubble to clear fields, a practice that stokes air pollution in the region at the onset of winter, authorities said on Tuesday.

Police in the Kai­thal region said that 22 complaints of stubble bur­n­ing have been registered this year, and 16 people have been arrested though all were later released.

Delhi recorded “very poor” air on Tuesday mor­ning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with an air quality index (AQI) of 320.

It was the second-most polluted city in the world on Tuesday, behind Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan.

In Punjab, which earlier hinted at pursuing ‘climate diplomacy’ with India to combat smog, as many as 71 people were arrested for burning stubble and trash, operating prohibited brick-kilns and driving smoke-emitting vehicles.

“Resources have also been allocated for artificial rain and other measures,” said senior Punjab minister Marriyum Aura­ngzeb, adding each insta­nce of artificial rain will cost between Rs5m and Rs7m.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2024