Air pollution in South Asia is a major health crisis, with crop residue burning contributing significantly to winter pollution. This study investigates whether bureaucratic incentives can mitigate crop burning. Using satellite and survey data from India and Pakistan, the researchers found that fires increase when wind directs pollution to neighboring jurisdictions and decrease when pollution affects the bureaucrats' own districts. These effects intensify with stronger bureaucratic incentives and capacity. Bureaucratic action also deters future burning. An atmospheric model estimates that increased in utero pollution exposure from burning significantly raises child mortality, highlighting the importance of incentivized bureaucratic action.
Publisher
Nature
Published On
Oct 23, 2024
Authors
Gemma Dipoppa, Saad Gulzar
Tags
air pollution
South Asia
crop burning
bureaucratic incentives
child mortality
environmental health
winter pollution
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