Rice Residue Burning in Northern India: An Assessment of Environmental Concerns and Potential Solutions – A Review

Abstract Environmental alarms like climate change and rising air pollution levels in north India, particularly the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), draw attention to severe issue of Rice straw burning. Straw burning is common practice Punjab Haryana’s Indo-Gangetic plains. Large-scale residues (straw stubble) a problem that emits Green House Gases (GHGs) while polluting air, posing health problems, eliminating micronutrients from burned-out field. Residue management has been for paddy farmers as time changes, it necessary update their practices. For disposal rice residue, are constrained by an insufficient technology base lack viable economic solutions. Technical solutions available, classified mainly on-site ( situ ) off-site ex solutions, solution includes variety machines can be used incorporate or mulch residue efficiently. While allow collecting field various applications such energy production, briquetting, composting, paper cardboard making, mushroom cultivation. Farmers North India not aware prolific alternatives managing stubble and, therefore, consider best option. Therefore, extensive awareness programs needed inform about options effects Zero till drill, happy seeder super Management System (SMS) recommended farmers, need supplied sufficient quantity evade these regions. Meanwhile, alternative constitutes active area research, area-specific crop-specific evolved. All stakeholders i.e., researchers, extension agents policy makers engaged understanding harnessing full potential using crop with conservation agriculture sustainability resilience Indian agriculture.