From Punjab to KP: How India’s Smog is Creating a New Health Hazard
The annual onset of winter in South Asia brings with it a familiar yet increasingly hazardous problem: smog. Originating largely from agricultural burning in the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, dense clouds of smoke and pollutants drift across borders, affecting neighboring regions like Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and beyond. What once seemed to be a localized environmental issue has evolved into a regional health crisis, impacting millions. The problem is exacerbated by industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and seasonal weather patterns, creating a toxic mix of pollutants that linger over South Asia for weeks, if not months in Punjab.
Understanding the Source of Smog in India
Every year, after the summer harvest season, farmers in Punjab and Haryana burn the leftover stubble to prepare their fields for the next crop cycle. This practice, known as stubble burning, is an inexpensive and effective way to clear fields quickly. However, it releases vast amounts of pollutants, including carbon dioxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which are extremely harmful to respiratory health. Despite growing awareness of the environmental and health impact, stubble burning remains widely practiced due to the lack of affordable alternatives for farmers.
In combination with emissions from factories, traffic, and construction dust, this seasonal agricultural burning forms thick layers of smog over India’s northern plains. The region’s winter weather compounds the problem. During colder months, low wind speeds and temperature inversions prevent pollutants from dispersing, trapping them close to the ground. The result is a thick, persistent blanket of smog that not only engulfs cities in northern India but drifts into neighboring countries, including Pakistan and, in recent years, Afghanistan in Punjab.
Cross-Border Smog: A Shared Environmental Challenge
The geographical proximity of India and Pakistan means that pollution does not respect political boundaries. During smog season, cities in Pakistan’s Punjab province, such as Lahore, are often shrouded in the same hazardous air that affects New Delhi, India’s capital. Recent studies have shown that westerly winds carry polluted air from India into Pakistan, especially in late October and early November, when stubble burning is at its peak.
In Pakistan, the effects are no less severe. The dense smog blankets cities and rural areas alike, reducing visibility, causing flight delays, and increasing the frequency of road accidents. Schools are forced to close due to dangerously high levels of air pollution, and hospitals see a surge in patients with respiratory issues, particularly children and the elderly. Even though Pakistan does not contribute significantly to the stubble burning issue, it bears a significant portion of the health and economic burdens in Punjab.
The Health Hazards of Smog
Smog contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Chronic exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to severe health issues, including asthma, bronchitis, and heart disease. Recent studies have also shown that long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution can impair cognitive development in children and increase the risk of stroke and cancer.
For those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the smog can be life-threatening. Health authorities in both India and Pakistan report a noticeable increase in hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses during smog season. In addition to physical health impacts, the constant exposure to smog can lead to mental stress and anxiety, as individuals worry about their own health and that of their families in Punjab.
Economic Costs and Social Implications
The health crisis caused by smog also has economic repercussions. Reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and absenteeism due to illness place a strain on the economies of affected countries. Workers who are frequently exposed to smog suffer from poor health, leading to lower efficiency and higher rates of absenteeism. Additionally, reduced visibility disrupts transportation and tourism, two critical economic sectors for countries like India and Pakistan.
In cities like Lahore, residents increasingly seek solutions to protect themselves from the smog. Those who can afford it invest in air purifiers, masks, and even air-conditioned indoor spaces to minimize exposure. However, these are not viable options for everyone. Low-income households, which make up a large portion of the population in both India and Pakistan, are disproportionately affected as they lack the resources to protect themselves from the adverse health effects of smog in Punjab.
Policy Measures: Can They Make a Difference?
In recent years, both India and Pakistan have made attempts to address air pollution, but challenges persist. In India, the government has introduced the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and measures to support farmers in adopting alternatives to stubble burning have seen limited success.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has established its own initiatives, such as banning old vehicles and promoting tree planting. However, these efforts are often localized and lack the broader enforcement needed to make a substantial difference. Additionally, cross-border cooperation between India and Pakistan on this issue has been minimal due to longstanding political tensions, hampering coordinated efforts to mitigate the shared smog crisis.
The Need for Regional Collaboration
The transboundary nature of smog underscores the need for regional cooperation. Addressing the health and environmental crisis requires collaborative efforts from both India and Pakistan, as well as from international organizations. Joint research, shared technology for pollution control, and coordinated air quality management plans could help to mitigate the worst effects of smog in Punjab.
A Call to Action
As South Asia’s population continues to grow, so too will the demand for food, energy, and infrastructure—all of which contribute to air pollution. Without decisive action, the health impact of seasonal smog will only worsen. Both governments and citizens have a role to play: policymakers need to prioritize sustainable solutions, such as providing incentives for cleaner agricultural practices, and citizens can advocate for stricter air quality regulations and adopt personal practices that reduce pollution in Punjab.
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