CAQM Orders Drone Surveillance to Counter Farm Fires Across Five Northern States
The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed five state governments to launch UAV monitoring programs to track stubble burning. These flight operations will target evening windows when farmers often attempt to bypass satellite detection.
Nighttime Monitoring and High-Resolution Tracking
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has issued a fresh directive to the governments of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to integrate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into their air quality strategies. This move aims to fix gaps in existing satellite monitoring by providing real-time, high-resolution imaging of agricultural fires. Official statements on Wednesday indicated that drones will serve as a primary tool for mapping smoke plumes and pinpointing specific field locations for immediate enforcement.
Tactical Flight Schedules and Hotspot Focus
State agencies must now develop detailed flight plans that prioritize identified hotspot villages and high-risk paddy cultivation zones. A specific tactical shift involves conducting surveys during late evening hours, specifically between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. This timing addresses a known gap where farmers ignite stubble after satellite passes to avoid detection. By combining drone data with cadastral maps, authorities intend to generate time-stamped evidence that ties fire incidents directly to individual land parcels.
Regulatory Alignment and Resource Allocation
The commission noted that the technology is already standard practice for infrastructure and highway projects, making its application for environmental law enforcement a logical extension. To ensure legal compliance, CAQM stipulated that all aerial operations must strictly follow the Drone Rules, 2021. State administrations are tasked with:
- Determining the necessary volume of drone sorties for their respective regions.
- Developing advanced aerial survey schedules for fire-prone districts.
- Integrating UAV data with ground-level inspections for rapid response.
By deploying these flexible flight patterns, the CAQM expects to secure more accurate data than what is currently available through traditional aerial surveys alone.
Source: The Hindu — National
