category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh The Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal has unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle crop residue management in the state, marking a significant step toward addressing a persistent environmental concern. During a virtual meeting of the High-Level Task Force for Management of Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR, chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal said that the state government has taken a momentous step towards harnessing paddy straw for sustainable energy and eliminating crop residue burning by 2027. This groundbreaking move is marked by the introduction of the Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy 2023, a significant stride in promoting efficient paddy straw utilization and discouraging harmful residue burning. Aligned with the government s unwavering commitment to extract energy from paddy straw and reduce its environmental impact, this comprehensive policy establishes an end-to-end ecosystem for paddy straw utilization. At its core, the policy aims to attract private investment in paddy straw-based projects, encourage farmers to adopt responsible practices, and create a robust linkage between farmers and industries. He said that the state government has meticulously categorized 147 villages as red zones, 582 as yellow zones, and 6,175 as green zones, reflecting a commitment to efficiently manage crop residue.Mr Kaushal said that the Haryana boasts approximately 3,657,220 acres of land under paddy cultivation, with a formidable goal to manage 7,314,440 metric tonnes of crop residue. The state government has strategically outlined several key strategies including:- A staggering 2,462,882 metric tonnes of crop residue will be managed through this approach. With a focus on in-situ management, the state government aims to effectively handle 3,141,892 metric tonnes of crop residue.- Ex-situ Management: An additional 1,709,666 metric tonnes of crop residue will be addressed through ex-situ management. Mr Kaushal said that to facilitate this endeavor, the state government is providing subsidies to farmers for the purchase of crop residue management machines, emphasizing a shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Notably, a substantial financial allocation of Rs. 300 Crore (comprising Rs. 180.00 crore of Central Share and Rs. 120.00 crore of State Share) has been earmarked by the Government of India under the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme for the fiscal year 2023-24. The Chief Secretary said that the state government has sanctioned 19,141 crop residue management machines for subsidy provision to farmers, marking a significant increase from the previous year when 8,071 machines were provided. These machines encompass various essential components, including Super Seeders, Zero Till equipment, and Straw Bailing Units, all geared towards optimizing the crop residue management process. (editor dailyworld.in)