Burning of the forest, vegetation, crop residue and another type of wooden tree is termed as biomass burning. Biomass burning is not a new phenomenon, it has its roots in ancient agricultural practices, commonly called slash and burn agriculture. Farmers or nomads put fire on forest land and clear it for agriculture use. After that the farmers left the land for 10 to 20 years so that it regains its fertility.
Farmers prefer to burn crop residue after harvesting because it Increase soil fertility and also it is cost effective. On the other hand disposal of residue through a process other than burning is costly and time-consuming.Some time tribal and other people put fire in the forest and burn the biomass to extract valuable timber and other forest produce for smuggling and trafficking.Many valuable herbs, endemic trees, and endangered wildlife get extinct in forest biomass burning.
Biomass Burning Is A Major Cause Of Pollution
Presently biomass burning is a major cause of pollution in many developing and developed countries. In India, it is the main reason for smog formation in the national capital and nearby region.Smoke generated from the burning of crop residue in Punjab and Haryana get mixed up with dust and particulate pollutants lead to the formation of smog.Smog reduces Visibility and also has harmful effects on health. Lungs problem, eyes infection, asthma, bronchitis are the major disease associated with it.
Steps taken by Government to reduce pollution:
To curb or to reduce pollution, the government has taken many steps, one of which is the biomass gasifier. In biomass gasifiers, solid crop residue is converted into gaseous fuel, which has the potential to be used as an alternative or substitution to conventional fossil fuels.Biomass gasifier through chemical reaction converted the biomass into biofuel. Biofuel obtained from biomass is cleaner fuel as carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas emitted after burning of fuel is in very less quantity or we can say it emit very little Or zero carbon dioxide as compared to other conventional fossil fuels.
Use of biomass gasifier
Use of biomass gasifier is still in its initial stage, further researches have to be done to improve the technology so that marginal and small farmers can use them for disposal of their crop residue. It also helps in curbing the pollution associated with the burning of biomass. Other advantages Of using biomass gasifier are importing reduction of coal, natural gas and crude oil. Biomass gasifier also helps in the downfall of disease burden which cost a million annually.
Biomass burning is both an artificial as well as a natural process:
Biomass burning occurs naturally or by a man also. There is a need to spread awareness among the people about the positive and negative impact of biomass burning on the natural environment and ecosystem as a whole. The introduction of new technology and innovations should be made to mitigate the harmful effects of biomass burning. Biomass burning is an international concern, so by promoting and producing biomass gasifier on a large scale both economy and the environment get the benefits and is It is also a step toward sustainable development.