NCR States ordered by CAQM to use drones for real-time monitoring of stubble burning hotspots

Govts. of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, U.P., Rajasthan asked to ensure monitoring of paddy cultivation areas, especially identified hotspot villages and fire-prone locations; conduct drone surveys from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., when attempts to evade satellite detection are more likely, pollution watchdog also says

Source

The Hindu — National →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has urged the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, UP, and Rajasthan to deploy drones to monitor stubble burning.
02The CAQM has asked these states to conduct drone surveys from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., when attempts to evade satellite detection are more likely.
03Paddy cultivation areas, especially identified hotspot villages and fire-prone locations, need to be monitored by the state governments.
04Drones will be used for real-time stubble burning detection, with geotagged video logs required.
05The CAQM has directed Punjab and Haryana governments to start procuring drones for the harvest season.
06Punjab is expected to generate 19.32 million tonnes of stubble during the harvest season.
07The state governments have been asked to ensure monitoring of paddy cultivation areas, especially identified hotspot villages and fire-prone locations.

Trap alerts

Most people think that drone deployment for stubble burning detection is a new initiative, but actually, it has been recommended by CAQM since March 2023.
Most people think that drone surveys can be conducted at any time of the day, but actually, they need to be done from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. when attempts to evade satellite detection are more likely.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding CAQM's Request to Monitor Stubble Burning: 1. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has urged Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, U.P., and Rajasthan to deploy drones. 2. Drone surveys are conducted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. when attempts to evade satellite detection are more likely. 3. CAQM made this request on 15 July 2025. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

The CAQM's request is specifically mentioned in the fact list as being made by 'the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) pollution watchdog' to the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, U.P., and Rajasthan. The correct time for drone surveys is 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., not 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The date of the request is actually 30 July 2026, not 15 July 2025.

Statement I & IIhard

Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: The CAQM has asked states to deploy drones to monitor stubble burning. Statement-II: This request was made to ensure monitoring of paddy cultivation areas, especially identified hotspot villages and fire-prone locations. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

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