Why in the News?
Indian Space Research Organisation will pilot a modified algorithm to better detect farm fire events during the upcoming wheat harvesting season. The move follows discrepancies between satellite detected fires and ground reports flagged by the Commission for Air Quality Management.
Background: Stubble Burning
- Paddy stubble generated within a 30 day window in Punjab, Haryana and western UP.
- Farmers burn residue due to:
- Short gap between harvest and next sowing cycle
- Low cost and quick clearance
- Burning releases PM2.5 and gaseous pollutants.
- During peak season, farm fires can contribute up to 40 percent of Delhi pollution load.
Satellite Monitoring Mechanism
- Fire data based on sun synchronous polar orbiting satellites:
- NASA Terra and Aqua using MODIS sensor
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Suomi NPP using VIIRS sensor
- Issue identified:
- Peak burning time shifted from around 1.30 pm in 2020 to nearly 5 pm in 2024.
- Late evening fires may escape detection due to fixed satellite overpass timings.
- Rabi Season Focus
- Wheat harvesting: Late March to May.
- 2025 data recorded:
- Punjab: 10,207 fire events
- Haryana: 1,832
- NCR districts of UP: 259
- For first time, CAQM directing monitoring of summer wheat stubble burning.
| [2019] For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used?
1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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