ANALYSIS THE EFFECT OF STUBLLE BURING ON THE ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF THE SOIL

Stubble burning in northern India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, poses significant engineering challenges. The practice, driven by the difficulty of storing paddy stubble, results in substantial air pollution that forms smog, impacting large regions including Delhi. From an engineering perspective, stubble burning severely affects soil properties: it increases carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur levels, leading to reduced soil fertility and altered physical characteristics. The burning process results in higher bulk density and soil compaction while decreasing porosity and adhesion between soil particles. These changes impair the soil’s structural integrity, affecting its compaction, permeability, and overall engineering properties. Consequently, repeated stubble burning contributes to soil degradation, reduced agricultural productivity, and long-term challenges in soil management and land use.