With Himachal Pradesh taking second position in India in the rising number of cancer cases, the environmentalists have demanded a ban on certain toxic pesticides and insecticides used by farmers and orchardists of the state .
Based on a study conducted by Himachal Niti Abhiyan (HNA) and an agriculture researcher, Satya Sai Nath, the Coordinator of HNA Guman Singh said, “A growing concern has emerged over the alleged link between the excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals in horticulture and agriculture and the increasing incidence of cancer across Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the fruit and vegetable-growing belts of Kullu, Kangra, Lahaul and Spiti, Shimla and Solan.”
The study has observed, “The chemically ripened fruits and pesticide-laden vegetables are significant contributors for toxicity of water, soil and air, resulting in rise of cancer cases.”
“More than 10,000 cancer-related deaths have reportedly been recorded in the state over the past eight years, while around 1,500 new cases are detected annually”, the study observed .
Environmentalists claim Himachal Pradesh now has the second-highest cancer prevalence in India among smaller states, second only to the North- East region.
On the basis of the study, “Himachal Pradesh produces a large number of fruits and vegetables and farmers make heavy use of toxic pesticides leading to serious health problems including rising cancer cases.”
The number of cancer cases in the state has steadily increased from 8,978 cases in 2021 to 9,566 in 2024.
“Epidemiological studies from Kullu and Shimla reveal a vast majority of farmers endure extreme fatigue, severe eye irritation, dermal lesions and acute systemic toxicity as routine post-spray realities. ” he alleged.
“Leading oncologists in Himachal Pradesh have publicly called for a law to regulate its use, besides other steps like medical and ethical intervention,” he added.
He only scientifically and medically ethical intervention, he argued, is a strict state-led ban and phase-out of the toxic insecticides and pesticides.
“Banning these priority HHPs will not compromise the agricultural output of the state; rather, it will protect the workforce that generates it and efforts should be made to replacing these chemicals with resilient horticulture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the state’s natural farming initiatives,” said Satya Sainath.
