States' News

Glyphosate ban - Himachal Pradesh

August 26 , 2026 11 hrs 0 min 3 0

44 social and environmental organisations, retired forest officials and scientists have urged the Himachal Pradesh government to ban the use of glyphosate-based herbicides on forest land.
Glyphosate is reportedly being used to clear vegetation for illegal pea and hemp cultivation; the practice has been reported in high-altitude forest areas.
The groups said such cultivation violates the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Indian Forest Act, 1927, and Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
They sought scientific testing of soil, water, vegetation and biodiversity, including chemical-residue testing, in areas where herbicide use is reported.
The Forest Department has adopted a zero-tolerance approach and has destroyed pea cultivation in five small forest patches so far.