The Supreme Court of India has declared stubble burning a violation of the fundamental right to live in a pollution-free environment, as enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The court sharply criticized the failure of authorities to enforce laws effectively, allowing stubble burning to persist, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. This practice significantly contributes to air quality degradation, especially in Delhi-NCR, where pollution spikes during the winter months.
In its ruling, the court underscored that stubble burning endangers public health by releasing harmful pollutants, exacerbates the climate crisis through greenhouse gas emissions, and poses a severe violation of citizens’ rights. It urged authorities to strictly enforce existing laws and promote sustainable agricultural solutions, such as happy seeders, crop residue management machines, and biodecomposers, to help reduce reliance on burning crop residues.
With air pollution levels reaching dangerous peaks, the ruling serves as a wake-up call for sustainable practices and stronger governance to protect citizens’ health and the environment.
