India Tops Global Pesticide Toxicity Rankings

INDIA AMONG TOP CONTRIBUTORS TO GLOBAL PESTICIDE TOXICITY

Why in the News?

  • Global Study Findings: New study published in Science reports India among four countries contributing nearly 70% of global Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) from pesticides.
  • Biodiversity Commitment: Findings raise concerns over progress toward UN Biodiversity pledge to reduce pesticide risk by 50% by 2030.

India Tops Global Pesticide Toxicity Rankings

PESTICIDE TOXICITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • High Contribution: India, along with China, Brazil, and the U.S., accounts for majority share of global pesticide-induced toxicity burden.
  • Non-Target Damage: Toxicity significantly impacts terrestrial arthropods, soil organisms, aquatic species, and pollinators, disrupting ecosystems and threatening a pollution free environment.
  • Crop Intensification: Extensive use on fruits, vegetables, rice, maize, soybean, and cereals drives elevated toxicity levels.
  • Human Exposure: Persistent pesticide residues permeate food, water, household products, and public spaces, posing public health risks.
  • Data Deficit: Study emphasises need for transparent, ingredient-wise annual reporting of pesticide usage.

REGULATORY GAPS AND POLICY CHALLENGES

  • Outdated Legislation: Insecticides Act, 1968 primarily addresses agricultural use, lacking robust provisions for non-agricultural exposure and comprehensive environmental impact assessment.
  • Clearance Concerns: India reportedly uses several pesticides prohibited in other countries, raising regulatory harmonisation concerns and highlighting gaps in environmental clearance processes for agrochemicals.
  • Upcoming Reform: Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 seeks to promote safer and biological alternatives while addressing retrospective environmental clearances and ex post facto approvals.
  • Liability Framework: Experts highlight absence of strong accountability and compensation mechanisms for environmental damage, emphasising need to enforce the polluter pays principle.
  • Agricultural Model: Overreliance on Green Revolution input-intensive practices contributes to ecological degradation and farmer distress.

ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND CHEMICAL REGULATION

●  Sustainable Agriculture: Transition toward integrated pest management and bio-pesticides is central to ecological sustainability.

●  Biodiversity Commitments: Global conventions mandate reduction in chemical risks to biodiversity and ecosystem services.

●  Precautionary Principle: Environmental jurisprudence incorporates precaution in regulating hazardous substances and pollutants, as reinforced by the Vanashakti judgment.

●  Regulatory Framework: Comprehensive environmental regulation requires integration of EIA Notification, Forest Conservation Act, Coastal Regulation Zone norms, and environmental democracy principles.

●  Health-Environment Nexus: Chemical exposure links environmental degradation with public health governance.

●  UPSC Relevance: Topic aligns with GS Paper III, covering environmental protection, agriculture policy, and sustainable development.