Air quality in Haryana deteriorated further on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) of nine cities in the state falling into the 'poor' category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) air quality bulletin reported AQI values between 200 and 300 in cities like Bahadurgarh, Faridabad, Ballabgarh, Daruhera, Gurugram, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Manesar.
The air quality in Faridabad, which had previously been categorized as 'very poor,' saw some improvement as it returned to the 'poor' category. Meanwhile, Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Dharuhera, Gurugram, Hisar, and Panchkula retained their 'moderate' air quality for the second consecutive day. Narnaul, Palwal, and Sirsa maintained 'satisfactory' air quality, according to the CPCB's classification.
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The Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC) reported 29 new cases of stubble burning in the state on Sunday, bringing the total count to 743 during this year's paddy harvesting season. This marks a decrease from the 1,110 cases reported during the same period last year, from September 15 to October 2.
The deteriorating air quality and the instances of stubble burning highlight the ongoing challenges posed by agricultural practices, air pollution, and their impact on public health in the region. Efforts to address these concerns, such as promoting alternative farming techniques and stricter regulations, remain essential in mitigating the air quality issues in Haryana.