Published Paper Details:

Swidden agriculture, locally known as Jhum cultivation, is a prevalent traditional slash-and-burn farming method in the region. This practice, involving seasonal land clearing and burning, particularly between February and March, leads to significant environmental and societal consequences, causing seasonal increases in air pollution in an otherwise 'clean and green' state. The state of Mizoram imposes yearly, a strict and specific timeframe for swidden agriculture burning to take place. The study addresses a notable gap in existing literature concerning the environmental ramifications of swidden agriculture within the Mizoram context. The methodology employed geospatial technology, specifically Sentinel 5P TROPOMI and Landsat 8 OLI datasets, to meticulously evaluate the repercussions of periodic land burning on ambient air pollution levels. Google Earth Engine (GEE) and QGIS were extensively utilised for processing and thematic map creation, primarily leveraging Level 3 Offline (OFFL) Near-Real Time products from Sentinel 5P. The study's objectives are to highlight the utility of active remote sensing in air quality monitoring, assessing the effects of seasonal burning, determining links between swidden agriculture and air quality changes. The analysis focused on data from February to March 2023. The findings reveal a marked escalation in the atmospheric concentrations of hazardous pollutants, including formaldehyde (HCHO), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), directly coinciding with the peak seasonal burning period of Jhum cultivation from February to March 2023. In contrast, aerosol (UVAI), methane (CH4), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) showed minimal or negligible changes in emission levels, or data was inconclusive due to technical limitations for CH4. Interestingly, tropospheric ozone (O3) exhibited a slight dip during this period. This research reinforces the importance of integrating satellite-derived data with terrestrial observations for a more active approach to air quality surveillance. The implications of this study are wide-ranging, extending beyond Mizoram to other areas where swidden agriculture is still practiced.