Beyond Stubble Burning: Year-Round Power Plant Emissions Drive India's Air Pollution

Seasonal crop-field fires in northern India are often singled out as the main cause of deteriorating air quality as winter approaches. A 2009 water-preservation law in Punjab forces farmers to clear stubble quickly, leading to a rise in fires that peaked after 2010. Yet an ISRO study covering 2002-2020 indicates that power-plant emissions have surpassed farm fires as the chief source of pollutants since 2010, operating year-round.

The geographic focus of stubble burning has also moved, with Madhya Pradesh now responsible for nearly half of such incidents. Because agricultural burning is limited to September through November, its impact cannot be directly compared with the constant output from power stations. Experts argue that addressing India's air-quality crisis requires broader policies targeting both seasonal and continuous emission sources.