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Picture Courtesy: Down to Earth

Context:

Cotton farming in India uses large amounts of pesticides, which drift beyond fields due to wind and rain, contaminating air, water, homes, schools, and ponds, which leads to eye irritation, breathing problems, coughs, and nausea, particularly among infants and children.

What are Pesticides?

Pesticides are substances or mixtures of substances designed to prevent, destroy, repel or control pests — where “pests” include insects, weeds, fungi, rodents and other organisms that interfere with agriculture, public health, ecosystems or stored products.

Types of Pesticides:

• Insecticides: Control or eliminate insects that damage crops, stored products, or spread diseases.
• Herbicides: Suppress, destroy, or inhibit unwanted plants (weeds) competing with crops.
• Fungicides: Prevent or control fungal infections that reduce crop yield or quality.
• Rodenticides: Control rodent populations in agriculture, urban areas, and stored grains.
• Biopesticides: Use natural organisms or substances to manage pests; considered environmentally safer. 

Pesticide regulation in India:

• Insecticides Act, 1968: Primary legislation regulating the manufacture, sale, transport, distribution, and use of pesticides in India.
• Pesticides Management Bill (Pending): Proposed modernization to include stricter regulation, safety standards, and penalties.
• Rules & Guidelines: Government notifications prescribe registration, labeling, and safe-handling requirements.

Authorities Involved:

• Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC): Approves registration of new pesticides.
• State Governments: Enforcement, monitoring, licensing of dealers and applicators.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Monitors environmental impact in air, water, and soil.
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): Monitors pesticide residues in food.

Current Status of Pesticide pollution:

• A recent global study of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership found that about 64% of the world’s arable land is at risk of pesticide pollution (soil, water, atmosphere) across 168 countries.
• In India: over one‑third of registered pesticides (around 118 out of 339) qualify as “highly hazardous” based on international criteria.
• Field studies of Central Pollution Control Board and Punjab Agricultural University detected pesticide residues 10–15 km away from sprayed fields.
• A report by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) India found unauthorised use of four highly hazardous pesticides (chlorpyrifos, fipronil, atrazine, paraquat) across multiple states, pointing to weak regulation and high pollution risk.
• Study found6% of spray sessions in cotton fields led to mild-to-severe poisoning symptoms among women and men. (Source: India Water Portal) 

What are the concerns of Pesticide pollution in India?

• Environmental concerns: Pesticides persist in soil, surface water, groundwater and atmospheric compartments. For e.g. wildlife poisoning incidents in Karnataka (20 peacocks died due to a fungicide near a lake) show how pesticide pollution affects non‑target species. 

• Human Health Concerns: Farmers and sprayers face acute poisoning, skin irritation, respiratory issues, and neurological symptoms. Estimates suggest that India sees around 145 million cases of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning annually. 

• Socio-Economic Concerns: Medical expenses and lost workdays affect marginalised communities and temporary illness reduces agricultural output and household income. 

• Regulatory and Governance Concerns: Unsafe pesticides, including those banned internationally, are still sold. 

• Monitoring gaps: Few regions have systematic air, soil, or water pesticide residue monitoring.

Picture Courtesy: Science Direct

What are the challenges in reducing pesticide pollution in India?

Regulatory and Policy Challenges:

Weak enforcement of existing laws: Despite the Insecticides Act (1968) and partial regulations under the Pesticide Management Bill (2020), hazardous pesticides continue to be sold and used. Example: Highly toxic organophosphates and pyrethroids banned in many countries are still available in rural markets.

Agricultural and Socio-Economic Challenges:

Many smallholders lack knowledge about safe spraying practices, proper dosages, or use of protective equipment. In Telangana’s Warangal district, most cotton farmers spray pesticides by hand or tractor in open fields without protective gear.

Environmental and Technological Challenges

• Pesticide drift and persistence: Sprays travel several kilometres through air and water, contaminating villages, ponds, and ecosystems.
• Resistance and pest resurgence: Overuse leads to pesticide-resistant pests, driving further chemical application.

Case Study: Field studies in Punjab’s Bathinda and Mansa detected pesticide residues in rooftop dust and wells, illustrating how airborne chemicals affect communities far from sprayed fields.

Health and Social Challenges

• Invisible exposure: Villagers inhale low-level toxins during spraying seasons without immediate symptoms, making risks less visible.
• Underreporting of illnesses: Most pesticide-related health issues go undocumented, particularly among women, children, and informal workers.

Picture Courtesy: Research Gate

Way Forward:

• Strengthening Regulatory Framework and Enforcement: Fully implement and operationalize the Pesticide Management Bill, ensuring banned chemicals are removed from the market and strict penalties for violations.

Global Case Study: Countries like Denmark and the Netherlands have effectively phased out highly hazardous pesticides while maintaining crop yields.

Indian Case Study: In Punjab, stricter enforcement of pesticide bans and licensing for pesticide shops in Bathinda district reduced illegal sales and improper use. 

• Promoting Safer Agricultural Practices: Encourage Integrated Pest Management (IPM), organic farming, and use of bio-pesticides, pheromone traps, and crop rotation to reduce chemical dependence.

Case Study: Madhya Pradesh’s model cotton farms use bio-pesticides and pheromone traps, reducing chemical pesticide use by over 50% without affecting yields. 

• Enhancing Monitoring and Data Systems: Expand systematic monitoring of air, soil, and water for pesticide residues, and maintain public databases for transparency.

Case Study: Yavatmal and Akola districts in Maharashtra introduced air and water monitoring stations during cotton spraying seasons to record pesticide levels, helping local authorities take timely action. 

• Raising Farmer and Community Awareness: Train farmers on safe spraying practices, personal protective equipment, dosage limits, and alternatives to hazardous chemicals.

Case Study: In Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, awareness campaigns among cotton farmers led to reduced incidents of pesticide drift affecting nearby schools and households. 

• Promoting Economic Incentives and Market-Based Approaches: Provide subsidies for bio-pesticides, eco-friendly inputs, and insurance schemes for farmers adopting low-chemical practices.

Case Study: Vidarbha region programs offering financial support for IPM adoption reduced chemical usage by nearly 40% over five years, benefiting both health and income. 

Conclusion:

Pesticide pollution in India threatens human health, the environment, and rural livelihoods. Overuse of chemicals has caused contamination of air, water, and soil, while regulatory gaps and limited awareness worsen the problem. Integrated solutions—stronger enforcement, safer alternatives, monitoring, and farmer education—can reduce chemical dependence, protect communities, and promote sustainable agriculture. Addressing pesticide pollution is essential for inclusive, healthy, and environmentally responsible rural development.

Source: Down to Earth