Satellite Data and Farm Fires in Punjab and Haryana

• Satellites are used to track farm fires in Punjab and Haryana.

• The Indian government uses data from two NASA satellites, Aqua and Suomi-NPP.

• Satellite data shows a reduction in farm fires, but smoke cover over cropland decreases after satellite overpass.

• Air quality in Delhi struggles to recover from lows after Deepavali.

• Farmers traditionally burn paddy stubble after harvesting rice in the kharif season and November.

• Toxic particulate matter from fires affects New Delhi’s air quality.

• The Commission for Air Quality Management in the NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is expected to respond to allegations of farmers delaying burns.

• CAQM claims farmers were aware of overpass timings and asked them to light fires after 4 p.m.

• CAQM has asked the NRSC to develop a standard protocol to measure burnt area in January 2024.

• ISRO plans to evaluate the usability of data from various satellites to identify farm fires.