Centre to revamp farm fire detection method, take Isro help amid false data row

Amid alleged manipulation of stubble burning data by officials, the Centre is preparing to overhaul its approach to identifying and addressing farm fires and will introduce a “paddy burnt area” system to complement the existing “fire count” method starting next year. Stubble burning in states around the national capital has been blamed for the deteriorating air quality in Delhi.
The move aims to enhance the accuracy of stubble burning data, which has been marred by a reported error rate of 20-25 per cent under the current “fire count” system. A recent investigation by India Today TV revealed that stubble burning in Punjab hasn’t declined, and different methods are being used to evade detection.
Thermal imaging has faced criticism for missing actual incidents and occasionally reporting false positives, further complicating efforts to address the problem.
To refine its methodology, the government has sought the expertise of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on understanding satellite algorithms and devising an improved system for fire detection.
By integrating the paddy burnt area data with traditional fire counts, authorities hope to significantly reduce inaccuracies in reporting.
However, the new approach is not without its challenges. The paddy burnt area method involves a reporting delay of approximately five days and struggles with accuracy under cloudy conditions. Its reliance on spectral analysis tools like the Differenced Normalised Burn Ratio (dNBR) has proven effective but is not immune to limitations, particularly in complex weather scenarios.
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has taken a firm stance against negligence in addressing stubble burning. Over 100 officials have faced disciplinary action for their lapses, with warnings issued to five District Magistrates and five Superintendents of Police for failing to enforce anti-stubble burning guidelines.