Himachal Pradesh’s growing dependence on highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) has triggered serious concerns among environmentalists and agricultural experts, who warn that the state could be heading towards a significant public health and ecological crisis.
In a joint statement, Himalaya Niti Abhiyan coordinator Guman Singh and agricultural researcher Satya Sainath said that the state’s success in high-value horticulture has come at a considerable environmental and human cost. Known as India’s “fruit bowl”, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a rapid expansion of apple cultivation, particularly in the districts of Shimla, Kullu and Kinnaur, alongside extensive off-season vegetable farming in several regions. This intensive farming model, they said, has increasingly relied on chemical pesticides to sustain productivity.
According to the experts, farmers in apple-growing belts frequently spray pesticides more than a dozen times during a single growing season. Studies conducted in Kullu and Shimla districts have documented widespread health issues among farmers exposed to these chemicals, including severe eye irritation, skin disorders, fatigue and symptoms associated with acute pesticide poisoning.
The issue, they said, has evolved into a broader public health concern. Himachal Pradesh currently records the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the country. The state’s cancer mortality rate stands at 9.5 per cent, compared to the national average of 7.7 per cent. Furthermore, the annual growth rate of cancer cases in Himachal is reported at 2.2 per cent, significantly higher than the national rate of 0.6 per cent.
Guman Singh noted that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has previously linked the increasing burden of cancer in the state to the excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. Medical experts have repeatedly advocated stricter regulation of hazardous agrochemicals, while institutions such as Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Himachal Pradesh University are conducting studies to assess pesticide contamination and its health impacts.
Particular concern has been raised over the continued use of Paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide that has been banned or severely restricted in more than 75 countries. Although its original manufacturer, Syngenta, has announced the end of global production, the chemical remains available in several agricultural markets and continues to be used by farmers.
Experts also cautioned that the impact of pesticide use extends far beyond human health. Heavy monsoon rainfall often carries chemical residues into streams and rivers, posing risks to water quality in a state often referred to as North India’s “water tower.” Research has further shown that excessive pesticide application depletes beneficial soil microorganisms, undermines soil fertility and increases dependence on chemical fertilisers.
The decline of pollinator populations, particularly bees, has emerged as another warning sign. Many orchardists are now increasingly dependent on rented commercial bee colonies to ensure pollination in apple orchards, adding to production costs and reflecting a weakening natural ecosystem.
Environmental groups and researchers have called for a phased withdrawal of the most hazardous pesticides, wider adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and stronger integration with the Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y). They argue that reducing dependence on highly hazardous pesticides is critical to safeguarding public health, protecting biodiversity, preserving water resources and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Himachal Pradesh’s agricultural economy.
