{"id":722,"date":"2026-11-05T09:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T09:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/?p=722"},"modified":"2026-11-05T09:00:43","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T09:00:43","slug":"crop-residue-burning-in-india-raises-smog-concerns-in-lahore-and-other-parts-of-punjab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/2026\/11\/05\/722","title":{"rendered":"Crop Residue Burning in India Raises Smog Concerns in Lahore and Other Parts of Punjab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LAHORE:<\/strong> The burning of agricultural waste in parts of India is raising concerns about worsening air pollution across South Asia, including Pakistan. A recent report has claimed that smoke generated by crop residue burning in the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana is contributing to smog in Lahore, upper Punjab and districts near the Pakistan-India border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Kashmir Media Service, agricultural fires in northern India are producing large amounts of smoke that can travel across borders depending on wind direction and weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report highlights the growing problem of seasonal air pollution, particularly during the colder months when smog frequently affects major cities in Pakistan and India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crop Burning in Indian Punjab and Haryana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Farmers in several agricultural regions burn leftover crop residue after harvesting to clear their fields for the next planting season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This practice, commonly known as stubble burning, releases smoke, fine particulate matter and harmful gases into the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report identifies crop residue burning in Indian Punjab and Haryana as a significant source of seasonal pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When weather conditions allow, smoke from these agricultural fires can travel considerable distances and affect air quality in neighboring regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kashmir Media Service claims that cross-border pollution is contributing to deteriorating air quality in Lahore and other parts of Punjab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, determining the exact contribution of Indian agricultural fires to pollution in a particular Pakistani city requires scientific analysis of wind patterns, atmospheric conditions and pollution sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Satellite Technology Helps Monitor Pollution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The report also refers to satellite observations that help scientists monitor agricultural fires and atmospheric pollution across South Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NASA’s MODIS and VIIRS instruments are widely used to detect active fires and observe smoke and atmospheric particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Satellite systems operated under the European Space Agency’s Sentinel programme also provide valuable environmental information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These technologies help researchers identify fire activity, observe pollution patterns and study how smoke spreads across different regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, satellite images showing smoke or pollution over a particular area do not necessarily establish that all pollution in a neighboring city originated from that source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ground-level measurements and atmospheric modelling are needed to determine the contribution of different pollution sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Smog Becomes Worse During Winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Air pollution often becomes more severe in Punjab during the winter season because of changing weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low wind speeds, cooler temperatures and certain atmospheric conditions can trap pollutants closer to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, smoke and fine particles may remain in the air for longer periods, reducing visibility and affecting public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lahore and other cities in Punjab frequently experience smog during this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem can disrupt daily activities, reduce visibility on roads and increase the risk of respiratory problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children, older adults and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local Pollution Sources Also Contribute to Lahore’s Smog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although smoke from agricultural fires can cross international borders, Pakistan’s air pollution problem is not caused by a single source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vehicle emissions, industrial activity, brick kilns, waste burning, dust and domestic agricultural fires also contribute to poor air quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These local sources can combine with pollution transported from other regions, making smog episodes more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental experts therefore emphasize the importance of addressing both domestic and cross-border pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing emissions from vehicles and industries, preventing open burning and improving air quality monitoring are important measures for managing the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Risks Associated With Air Pollution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Smog contains a mixture of pollutants, including fine particulate matter that can enter the respiratory system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to polluted air may cause coughing, throat irritation, eye discomfort and breathing difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long-term exposure to high concentrations of fine particles is associated with an increased risk of serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During periods of severe pollution, health authorities generally advise vulnerable individuals to reduce unnecessary outdoor exposure and follow local air quality guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving public awareness and providing reliable air quality information can help residents take appropriate precautions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional Cooperation Needed to Control Smog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Air pollution does not remain confined within national borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoke and airborne particles can move between countries, particularly when weather patterns support long-distance transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, cooperation between neighboring countries can be valuable in monitoring pollution and reducing emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Promoting alternatives to crop residue burning, improving agricultural waste management and encouraging cleaner farming methods could help reduce seasonal smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers can also benefit from access to equipment and techniques that allow crop residue to be managed without setting fields on fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such measures may reduce pollution while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan Faces Continued Winter Air Quality Challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The latest Kashmir Media Service report has renewed attention on the possible impact of agricultural fires in India on Pakistan’s air quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It specifically highlights concerns about smoke originating in Indian Punjab and Haryana and its potential effects on Lahore and nearby districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the exact share of pollution coming from across the border can vary considerably depending on weather conditions and local emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A comprehensive response to the smog problem requires reliable scientific monitoring, effective environmental regulations and measures to reduce pollution on both sides of the border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the winter season approaches, improving air quality in Lahore and other affected areas remains an important public health and environmental priority.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LAHORE: The burning of agricultural waste in parts of India is raising concerns about worsening air pollution across South Asia, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,5],"tags":[122,96,541,542,83,545,543,544],"class_list":["post-722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-important-news","category-international","tag-bluntline-network","tag-current-affairs","tag-india-crop-burning","tag-lahore-smog","tag-latest-news","tag-pakistan-air-quality","tag-punjab-air-pollution","tag-stubble-burning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=722"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":724,"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/722\/revisions\/724"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dashboard.bluntlinenetwork.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}