Spatial planning strategies to address health cost implications of stubble burning/

Abstract

This study investigates the critical issue of stubble burning in Bathinda district, Punjab, a region with high fire activity—6954 fire counts in 2023 over 167.2 thousand hectares, leading to a fire density of 41.09 per 1000 hectares. The research commenced with an extensive literature review to identify key indicators across environmental, health, and economic domains. These indicators included pollutant concentrations (PM 2.5, PM 10, SO₂, CO) and fire count data, alongside associated health conditions such as breathing issues, asthma, heart disease, and pneumonia, and socioeconomic burdens incurred due to pollution-related illnesses. Subsequently, the health impacts were analyzed using correlation and regression models, revealing that active fire count, PM 2.5, and PM 10 are significantly correlated with increased cases of breathing problems, asthma, and pneumonia (p < 0.05), especially during the stubble burning season (October–November). This seasonal trend underlines a temporal health vulnerability linked directly to agricultural residue burning. Heart disease, however, did not show a statistically significant correlation. To assess the healthcare cost burden, both direct and indirect costs were calculated through field data in Rampura Block. The average direct cost per household was Rs. 2600/month, covering doctor consultations, medication, and travel. The indirect cost, including wage loss, absenteeism, caregiving duties, and farm operation delays, amounted to Rs. 2100/month, indicating a high financial toll on low- and middle-income households during burn months. A primary household survey was conducted to contextualize and quantify health risks on the ground. Using a defined scoring matrix, an exposure index was calculated to assess risk levels across multiple criteria such as proximity to fire events, pollutant levels, and pre-existing health conditions. This enabled the identification of high-risk communities, offering a framework for spatially targeted interventions and prioritization of resources. Based on these results, the study proposes a series of spatial planning strategies. These include biochar trenches for SO₂ capture, CO₂ sequestration and utilization in agriculture (CCUS), development of clean air corridors, and enhanced natural ventilation systems to reduce indoor air pollution. In tandem, stubble management interventions such as green village certification, pre- and post-harvest incentives, reverse auction systems, and carbon credit markets were formulated to disincentivize residue burning while promoting sustainable alternatives Finally, these strategies were subjected to a detailed evaluation using cost-benefit analysis and exposure-response functions. The analysis demonstrated the economic feasibility and health effectiveness of these interventions, offering measurable returns in both environmental and public health terms. The study underscores the importance of integrating scientific evidence, local data, and spatial planning tools to design resilient, scalable, and equitable policy interventions that directly address the health and economic implications of stubble burning in high-risk agrarian regions like Bathinda.