• UGI USER
  • Nov 24, 2023
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FARM FIRE COUNTING: UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

Why in the News?

  • Between September 15 and November 23, a total of 55,725 farm fires were recorded across six North Indian states – Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Punjab alone accounted for 36,323 fires during this period.
Farm fires in PunjabSource: The Indian Express

Data Collection Agency

  • The data is collected by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (IARI) Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS) Laboratory.
  • CREAMS provides daily bulletins, offering a district-wise breakdown, location details, satellite information, time of recording, and fire intensity.

Satellite Monitoring

  • Three sensors on NASA satellites – VIIRS on Suomi NPP, and MODIS on Terra and Aqua – collect data by recording land surface temperatures.
  • Satellites pass over the Indian subcontinent twice daily, capturing the region from the Indian Ocean to Ladakh.

Additional Satellite for Mapping

  • Sentinel-2 satellites, owned by the European Space Agency, are used for mapping burnt areas at the end of the season, providing insights into the planted and burnt areas.

Monitoring Protocols

  • The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) introduced a standard protocol in 2021 for consistent monitoring of farm fires using satellite data.
  • Protocols ensure uniformity in reporting, avoiding discrepancies observed in previous years.

Identification of Paddy Fires

  • Differentiating paddy crop residue fires from other sources involves identifying paddy cultivation areas.
  • Paddy’s unique reflectance signature and its distinct features, like a background of water, help in accurate identification.

Recording Fire Intensity

  • Fire intensity, expressed as energy emitted per unit area and time, indicates the amount of residue burnt.
  • Intensity recordings aid in understanding the scale of burning, helping authorities make informed decisions.

Bulletin Dissemination

  • The daily bulletin is shared with central and state-level agencies, including CAQM, Ministry of Agriculture, and state agriculture departments.
  • Authorities utilize the data to implement targeted measures in districts with significant hotspots.

Limitations

  • The number of operational satellites influences data frequency; more satellites allow capturing events more frequently.
  • Climatic conditions, such as cloud cover, affect satellite readings, and recalibration may be required in certain situations.
  • Private sector advancements in satellite constellations could enhance data availability in the future.