A severe air pollution crisis is rapidly unfolding in Andhra Pradesh, with the capital region of Amaravati and its surrounding cities facing a hazardous future due to rampant crop residue burning. Despite warnings and intermittent rains, farmers in the agricultural belts near Vijayawada and Guntur continue to set fire to post-harvest waste, drastically deteriorating air quality and raising alarms of an impending environmental disaster.
Alarming Pollution Levels and a Looming Threat
Recent air quality monitoring data has revealed a terrifying spike in pollution. The level of PM2.5—dangerous fine particulate matter—in Vijayawada has soared to an alarming 140, a reading classified as hazardous for sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Environmental experts are drawing direct parallels to the national capital, cautioning that if the current trend persists, Amaravati and its satellite towns could soon be grappling with a crippling 'Delhi-like' smog scenario. In Delhi, such toxic air has repeatedly forced school closures, shifted offices to work-from-home models, and led to a sharp increase in hospital admissions for breathing problems.
Farmers' Practice vs. Environmental Cost
The root of the crisis lies in the post-Kharif harvest season. As farmers prepare their fields for the Rabi crop, many are opting for the quick and cheap method of burning leftover stubble instead of incorporating it back into the soil. In NTR district alone, this practice has been reported across nearly 4,000 acres of farmland. The resulting thick plumes of smoke are engulfing nearby residential areas, with residents in Vijayawada complaining of smog-like conditions in the early mornings and late nights, leading to widespread eye irritation and breathing difficulties.
When confronted, farmers defend burning by claiming it protects the next crop from pests and fungal infections. However, agricultural scientists strongly counter this argument. They state that burning destroys vital soil micronutrients, reduces long-term fertility, and ultimately hurts crop productivity. It is a short-term solution with devastating long-term consequences for both agriculture and public health.
Failed Persuasion and Calls for Strict Action
Despite awareness campaigns by the Andhra Pradesh agriculture department highlighting the damage, the practice continues unabated. Environmental activists argue that persuasion alone has proven insufficient. Krishna Prasanna Vytla, an environmental activist from NTR district, explained that the shift from manual to machine harvesting has left stalks in the field that were once used as cattle feed. "If ploughed back, they enrich the soil. Burning them for convenience kills microorganisms, harms biodiversity, and pollutes our air," Vytla emphasized.
Issuing a stern warning, Vytla stressed that without a concrete action plan and stringent regulations to curb stubble burning, Amaravati is on a fast track to mirror the environmental catastrophe that Delhi experiences annually. The need of the hour is for authorities to move beyond advisories and enforce sustainable alternatives to protect the region's air and the health of its citizens.
