Every year, as winter approaches, a familiar narrative unfolds. News reports, like the recent one on stubble burning, highlight a partial success story—a reduction in farm fires in some states—yet Delhi remains shrouded in a toxic haze, forcing authorities to invoke emergency measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) (Stubble burning drops in all States except Madhya Pradesh…). It’s a frustrating cycle that treats the symptom, not the disease. The smoke that chokes our capital isn't just an agricultural by-product; it's the visible evidence of a deeper, systemic, and strategic failure.
A Market for Clean Air
Reflecting on this annual crisis, I am struck by how my past writings on market-based solutions remain profoundly relevant. I had previously explored the potential of an Emissions Trading System and the promise of a Green Credit program to incentivize environmentally positive actions. The core idea Hemen wants to convey is this — take a moment to notice that he had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. Instead of relying solely on punitive measures against farmers, which often prove ineffective, we could create a system where they are financially rewarded for adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Imagine a framework where farmers earn tradable credits for not burning stubble, creating a new revenue stream that aligns their economic interests with the environmental health of the entire region. It’s a proactive, market-driven solution, yet we remain stuck in a reactive, command-and-control approach.
The Strategy Gap
This isn't merely an environmental issue; it's a problem of execution and long-term vision. It reminds me of a question I posed long ago, reflecting on a Corporate Strategy Framework from 1989. I wondered then what held India back despite its immense talent. Decades later, the same question echoes in the smog over Delhi. We possess the knowledge, the technology, and the manpower, but we falter in building and implementing robust, sustainable systems.
We analyze data, we issue warnings, and we impose temporary bans. But we fail to design a cohesive strategy that addresses the economic realities of the farmer, the responsibilities of the state, and the potential of the market. The annual haze is a stark reminder that without a fundamental shift in our strategic thinking—from short-term fixes to long-term, incentive-based frameworks—we are destined to repeat this cycle, gasping for both fresh air and fresh ideas.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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