Srinagar: Apples grown in Kashmir remain safe for consumers, but unsafe pesticide practices followed by orchard workers are raising serious health concerns across the Valley. Medical experts and lawmakers have warned that prolonged exposure to chemical sprays may be contributing to a rise in life threatening illnesses among farmers, particularly in major apple growing districts.
The issue was discussed during a meeting of the House Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, held in Srinagar on December 29. The committee is chaired by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who said the objective was to protect farmers without creating unnecessary panic.
Tarigami stated that Kashmir’s apple economy is vital for the region, but the health of orchard workers cannot be ignored. He emphasized the need for scientific assessment and safer farming practices while making it clear that there is no evidence suggesting apples themselves pose a risk to consumers.
The discussion gained urgency after lawmakers revisited findings from a study conducted by Sher i Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, commonly known as SKIMS.
The SKIMS study examined more than 400 patients treated between 2005 and 2008 and found a worrying concentration of malignant brain tumors among residents of key apple producing districts such as Baramulla, Anantnag, Budgam, Shopian and Kupwara. These areas form the heart of Kashmir’s apple belt and see heavy pesticide usage during every growing season.
Researchers concluded that there was a strong and possible association between long term pesticide exposure and the development of primary malignant brain cancer. Many patients included in the study were either orchard workers or lived close to sprayed fields.
Experts highlighted that unsafe farming practices continue despite existing guidelines. Shahid Rasool, principal scientist at CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, explained that many farmers spray pesticides every 10 to 12 days, far more frequently than the recommended 18 to 21 day interval.
Rasool noted that most orchard workers do not use protective equipment such as gloves, masks, or goggles. As a result, symptoms like skin irritation, breathing difficulty, and chronic coughing are common during spraying seasons.
As reported by TOI medical concerns were reinforced by Dr Sobia Nisar from Government Medical College Srinagar, who presented evidence showing pesticide residues in blood samples of orchard workers and nearby residents. According to her findings, exposure is linked not only to cancer but also to obesity, metabolic disorders, lipid imbalance, and early kidney damage.
The House Committee has urged the health and horticulture departments to improve farmer education, regulate pesticide use more strictly, and promote protective gear.
(Rh/ARC)
