Biomass burning in nearby areas doesn't always harm NCR air: Javdekar

NEW DELHI: Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday told Rajya Sabha that "there is no conclusive study available to show that biomass burning in neighbouring states will always impact the quality of air in Delhi".

He was responding to a question on the impact of biomass burning on air quality in cities, especially Delhi-NCR. The minister agreed that biomass, stubble or agriculture-related burning exercises impact air quality in the vicinity.

However, the movement of plumes of fine particles or various gaseous pollutants from biomass burning depends upon meteorological factors such as wind speed, wind direction and a combination of height and humidity, Javadekar said.