Satellite technology unveils alarming rise in greenhouse gas emissions from crop residue burning in India

Satellite technology unveils alarming rise in greenhouse gas emissions from crop residue burning in India

Hummingbird News Desk

BHOPAL, 29 SEP: In a groundbreaking collaboration, scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and the University of Michigan have developed an innovative satellite-based technology to measure greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the burning of crop residues in India. This cutting-edge research, recently published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Science of the Total Environment, reveals a startling 75% surge in greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade, with Punjab and Madhya Pradesh emerging as the top emitters.

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(L-R) Ms Aparnna Ravi, Mr Monish Deshpande, Dr Dhanyalekshmi k Pillai from IISER, Bhopal

Crop residue burning (CRB), a prevalent method for clearing fields after harvests, has led to severe environmental consequences. Annually, Indian farmers burn approximately 87 million tonnes of crop residues, surpassing the agricultural waste production of neighboring countries combined. This practice releases pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, adversely impacting climate, public health, and food security.

The study, led by Dr. Dhanyalekshmi K. Pillai, Assistant Professor and Head of the Max Planck Partner Group at IISER Bhopal, utilized satellite-based instruments to collect spectral data, including light and electromagnetic radiation. This data enabled the researchers to accurately estimate greenhouse gas emissions on a massive scale, offering critical insights into the scale of CRB emissions across the country from 2011 to 2020.

Rice, wheat, and maize crops were identified as the primary contributors, accounting for 97% of India’s agricultural burning emissions. Rice alone contributed 55%. The research also highlighted the need for more effective and sustainable policies to curb CRB, as initiatives introduced by the Indian government initially showed promise in reducing burning but experienced a surge in 2016.

Commenting on the study, Mr. Monish Deshpande, Research Scholar from the Greenhouse Gas Modelling and Applications Group at IISER Bhopal, emphasized the significance of this research: “Understanding the spatial and time-dependent emissions from CRB is crucial to implementing effective policies. Our study provides detailed insights into the districts and crops most affected, laying the foundation for targeted interventions.”

Dr. Vijesh V. Krishna, a senior economist at CIMMYT, highlighted the potential of conservation agriculture: “Conservation agriculture, involving reduced tillage and retaining residues as surface mulches, offers an effective solution to reduce crop residue burning, production costs, and time required for crop establishment without compromising yields.”

This groundbreaking research marks a significant step toward informed policy interventions to control residue burning, offering a ray of hope in addressing one of India’s most pressing environmental challenges.

Tags: #Greenhouse #SatelliteTechnology #CropResidueBurning #India

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