CAQM urges NCR States to deploy drones to monitor stubble burning

The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has urged the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab to adopt drone surveillance for effective monitoring of stubble burning, an official said on Wednesday.

“The commission emphasised that UAVs/ drones offer a reliable and effective solution for monitoring stubble burning incidents by providing rapid deployment, high-resolution, real-time imaging and flexible flight patterns that complement satellite imagery and ground inspections,” said the official.

Drones can accurately detect active fire locations, identify smoke plumes, map affected agricultural fields and generate time-stamped evidence for prompt enforcement action.

The official added, “Noting that drones are already being extensively utilised by various government agencies for applications such as infrastructure monitoring, digital aerial surveys and highway projects, the commission has advised the States to leverage this technology for preventing and controlling stubble burning.”

The governments of Delhi and four adjoining States have been asked to ensure that the monitoring area covers paddy cultivation areas, with special emphasis on identified hotspot villages and fire-prone locations. The administrations have also been advised to prepare advance drone flight plans, determine the required number of drone flights and map burning incidents with cadastral maps to enable precise identification of affected fields.

“The commission has told the States that drone surveys shall preferably be conducted during the day with particular focus on the late evening period, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m., when attempts to evade satellite detection are more likely,” the official said.

The State governments have been directed that drone operations should be conducted strictly in compliance with the provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021.