India and the Rising Global Pesticide Toxicity

Syllabus: GS3/Environment & Biodiversity; Agriculture

Context

• A recent Science journal study quantifies India’s high contribution to global pesticide risks via Total Applied Toxicity (TAT), urging reforms amid stalled UN biodiversity goals.
  • Also, the study indicates that the world is not on track to meet the target of reducing pesticide risk by 50% by 2030 at United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15), 2022.

TAT Key Findings

• India joins China, Brazil, and the US in driving 70% of global TAT, mainly from fruits, vegetables, rice, maize, and soy crops.
• Toxicity rose sharply in India, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Indian subcontinent, harming terrestrial arthropods, soil organisms, fish, and aquatic plants most. 
• Only Chile nears the UN’s 50% risk reduction by 2030 (Kunming-Montreal Framework, 2022); global progress lags.

What is Total Applied Toxicity (TAT)?

• Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) is a scientific metric used to measure the overall toxic pressure exerted by pesticides on the environment.
• It measures the quantity of pesticides used and their intrinsic toxicity and lethality to non-target species, unlike traditional measures that focus only on the quantity (volume) of pesticides applied.
• The rise in TAT undermines biodiversity conservation, agroecology, ecosystem services, and long-term agricultural sustainability, impacting pollinators, soil organisms, fish & aquatic life, terrestrial arthropods, and plants.
• Thus, TAT reflects not just ‘how much’ pesticide is used, but ‘how harmful’ that use actually is.

Impacts of High Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) on India

• Impact on Biodiversity: Decline in pollinators, as India’s horticulture sector (fruits, vegetables, oilseeds) depends heavily on pollination;
  • Loss of Terrestrial Arthropods: Their decline affects birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
  • Soil Biodiversity Degradation: Reduced soil fertility and natural nutrient cycling.
  • Aquatic Ecosystem Damage: Pesticide runoff during monsoons contaminates rivers and ponds. Impacts rural livelihoods dependent on fisheries.
• On Agricultural: Pest resistance, reduced long-term productivity, and threat to sustainable agriculture.
• On Public Health: Acute poisoning, chronic health effects like cancer, neurological disorders, and endocrine disruption; and occupational hazards.
• On Economy: Rising healthcare costs, and impact on fisheries and allied sectors.
  • Export Rejections: EU rejection of Indian basmati rice due to banned fungicide residues. Stricter Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in developed countries.

India’s Legal Framework: Is It Outdated?

• The Insecticides Act, 1968: It focused mainly on agricultural use, having limited provisions for domestic and industrial pesticide exposure. It does not adequately address modern toxicity levels, environmental persistence, and liability mechanisms.
  • India reportedly uses 66 pesticides banned in other countries, including paraquat (banned in Europe).
• Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: It aims to reduce risks to people and environment, and promote biological and traditional pesticides.
  • However, it lacks expert consultation, and weak liability provisions.

Environmental Governance Challenges

• Pressure on Regulatory Framework: The Insecticides Act, 1968 is outdated. Weak enforcement and monitoring mechanisms.
• Difficulty in Meeting International Commitments: India is a signatory to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
  • Rising TAT makes it difficult to meet the 2030 pesticide risk reduction target.
• Environmental Justice Concerns: Smallholders face rising input costs, health risks, and debt burdens.
  • Rural and tribal communities near biodiversity hotspots are disproportionately affected.
• Threat to Biodiversity Hotspots: India hosts Western Ghats, Himalayas, and Indo-Burma region. High pesticide toxicity in these regions endangers endemic species, and weakens ecological resilience.
• Global Commitments and Monitoring Gaps: The UN Biodiversity Framework requires regular reporting of annual pesticide use, data broken down by active ingredient, and real-time monitoring of progress.
  • However, many countries lack robust data systems, undermining transparency and accountability.

Way Forward

• Policy Measures: Shift to less-toxic alternatives like Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and biological control methods.
• Promote Organic and Natural Farming: Scaling up initiatives like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), and Natural farming models.
• Legal Reforms: Update regulatory framework, incorporate strict liability and compensation, and ban highly hazardous pesticides.
• Data Transparency: Mandatory annual reporting, and public disclosure of pesticide residues.
• Farmer Support: Incentivize sustainable agriculture, reduce chemical input dependency, and link to climate-resilient agriculture.

Source: TH