Concept paper

Aakash Project
RIHN Full Research (April 2020 - March 2025)
This study addresses air pollution caused by large-scale post-harvest burning of rice straw
in October and November in the states of Punjab and Haryana in northwestern India.
Burning results in severe air pollution in surrounding areas, affecting public health and thewell-being of hundreds of millions of people. This project will utilize observation data andmodel simulations to scientifically examine the connection between stubble burning in
Punjab and severe air pollution in Delhi. Based on the findings, and considering the cultural
background and local awareness of the negative impact of air pollution on health, we hope toencourage social transformation aimed at cleaner air, improved public health, and sustainableagriculture.
Our Goal
The aim of this project is to encourage social changes aimed at realizing cleaner air,improved public health, and sustainable agriculture. We will investigate behavioral changes
within the community and among stakeholders and government bodies in response tovarious measures such as economic incentives, technological advances, and increased
awareness of health risks. Figure 1 shows the structure of the three working groups involvedin the project.
The results of this study will allow policy makers to make informed decisions aboutprograms designed to increase awareness and disseminate information with an emphasis on
the environment, as well as livelihood protection and economic development. Accordingly,
the findings will serve as a basis for addressing similar air pollution issues on a regional andglobal scale.

Concept paper
Project structure
Figure 1 Structure of the three working groups

WG1

Behavioral
changes amongcommunity,
stakeholders
and government

Working Group 1 (WG1)
Analysis of the effect of incentives on
farmer and community behavior
Cultural/traditional background of farming
Labor availability
Impact of subsidies
Alternatives to straw burning
Non-tillage cultivation using a Happy
SeederUse in power plants
BalingSelling as livestock fodder
Composting
Cultivation of alternative products (e.g.,potatoes, mints, or cotton)

WG2
WG3
Working Group 2 (WG2)Quantification of the effect of stubble burning in Punjab
on air quality in Delhi• Monitoring of ambient PM2.5 levels across Punjab,
Haryana, and Delhi, with installation of fixed CUPIs
followed by the development of a data monitoring
system• Analysis of fire detection counts observed by satellite• Estimates of air pollutant emissions using model
simulations (WRF-Chem and NHM-Chem)
Remote sensing aimed at providing useful information for
WG1• Fire detection counts observed by satellite• Smoke dispersion/aerosol distributions observed bysatellite• Land-use change analysis using satellite data

Working Group 3 (WG3)
Increasing residents’ awareness of health risks• Health education classes entitled, “Air and Health”, to be
carried out in Punjab• Visualization of air pollution and its health risks• Collection of data on daily symptoms using a speciallyformulated App
Health risk assessment• Establishment of local research stations(clinics/universities)• Consultation and medical examination
among children and their mothers using a Peak flow meterand FeNO/Spirometer• Collection of medical records by clinics/hospitals.
• Monitoring of individual PM2.5 exposure levels via a“PM2.5 diary”

Concept paper
Research Plan
WG1
WG1 will examine the effect of incentives aimed at ending stubble burning among farmers,
while highlighting various alternative uses for straw. A questionnaire survey will be
conducted in conjunction with WG2 and WG3 in FY2020. The survey will examine thefollowing.
• Economic status• Status of stubble burning (continuing or stopped), and reasons for doing so• Cultural/traditional background of farming in the region• Labor availability• Use or non-use of subsidies provided for purchase of a Happy Seeder or othermachinery, and reasons for doing so• Treatment experiences in medical institutions• Interest in one’s own health
From the latter-half of FY2020, the results of the questionnaire will be analyzed to provide
an understanding of farmer behaviors.
In collaboration with LPU, PAU, CIPT, and IRRI-India, WG1 will also examine various
alternatives to burning straw.
• Cultivation of other products (e.g., potatoes, mints or cotton )• Selling as livestock fodder• Composting• Baling
WG2
The initial goal of WG2 is to quantify the effect of stubble burning in Punjab on air quality
in Delhi. Quantification will be carried out as follows.
• Monitoring of ambient PM2.5 levels across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, withinstallation of dozens of fixed Compact and useful instruments (CUPIs) to develop adata monitoring network• Analysis of fire detection counts observed by satellite• Estimations of air pollutant emissions using model simulations (WRF-Chem andNHM-Chem)
The remote sensing team will provide useful information for use by WG1 as follows.
• Fire detection counts observed by satellite• Smoke dispersion/aerosol distributions observed by satellite• Analysis of land-use changes by using satellite data
• Geographical distributions of double-cropping fields, including information on
cultivation periods

Concept paper

WG3
In collaboration with various local institutions, WG3 will conduct health education classes
entitled “Air and Health” in rural villages in Moga and Ludhiana districts, Punjab with theaim to increase health awareness.
WG3 doctors, assisted by local collaborators, will perform medical examinations ofchildren and their mothers and use a peak flow meter to test their pulmonary function. A
smartphone application available in each local dialect will be used to collect information on
the daily symptoms of residents.

*The research plan may need to be modified in line with COVID-19 restrictions. A revised
version is therefore under preparation as of Sept. 2020.