Supreme Court asks government to procure data on farm fires from geo-stationary satellites [18.11.2024]

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to procure data from geostationary satellites on farm fire instances instead of from Nasa polar-orbiting satellites.

The data of farm fires throughout the day can thus be made available to the state to enable them to take immediate action, it directed.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih noted that Isro is taking data from Nasa satellites which pass over the NCR region around 10.30 am to 1.30 pm daily and the instances of farm fires which are captured by satellite are only for this limited period.

 The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to procure data from geostationary satellites on farm fire instances instead of from Nasa polar-orbiting satellites.

The data of farm fires throughout the day can thus be made available to the state to enable them to take immediate action, it directed.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih noted that Isro is taking data from Nasa satellites which pass over the NCR region around 10.30 am to 1.30 pm daily and the instances of farm fires which are captured by satellite are only for this limited period.

 The bench further said that the Commission and the Centre will also involve Isro in taking this step.

The ultimate object should be to show that all instances of farm fire burning throughout the day are reported to the concerned states, so that prompt action be taken.

"Compliance on this aspect shall be reported by this Friday, the bench directed and added that the Centre and the CAQM will procure data from stationary satellites from October 1, 2024.

19 Nov 2024