Insecticide Poisoning Claims 1,197 Lives in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal in 2023
A recent report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) paints a grim picture. Accidental poisoning from insecticides and pesticides killed 1,197 people across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh in 2023. The data comes from the Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2023 report.
State-Wise Breakdown of Fatalities
Haryana recorded the highest number of deaths in this region. The state saw 570 fatalities, placing it fourth nationally. Punjab followed closely with 549 deaths, ranking fifth in the country. Himachal Pradesh reported 78 deaths from accidental poisoning.
Looking at the gender distribution, Punjab's 549 deaths included 439 men and 110 women. Haryana's 570 fatalities comprised 412 men and 158 women. In Himachal Pradesh, 57 men and 21 women lost their lives.
National Context and Regional Impact
Nationally, accidental intake of insecticides or pesticides caused 7,743 deaths in 2023. This toll included 5,418 males, 2,324 females, and one transgender person. The three northern states together accounted for a significant 15.5% of the country's total deaths from this cause.
How These Accidents Happen
Officials from the Punjab agriculture department explained the common scenarios. Most accidental poisonings occur in two ways. Farmers often inhale toxic chemicals during spraying operations. Another frequent cause is the accidental ingestion of chemicals. These substances are sometimes stored carelessly in field motor rooms or other accessible locations.
Dr. Hargurpartap Singh from Nihal Singh Wala town in Moga district sees many acute poisoning cases. He confirms that farmers often keep powerful chemicals within easy reach. This practice tragically leads to accidental intake.
The Role of Toxic Herbicides
The rampant use of highly toxic herbicides is a major factor. Paraquat Chloride, a powerful plant killer, is particularly concerning. Farmers widely use it for weeding. In Punjab, some reportedly use it to quickly dry up crops like moong (green gram) and maize before harvest.
Victims in Their Prime
The NCRB data reveals a heartbreaking trend. The majority of victims were in their most productive years. Over 71% of all national fatalities were people aged up to 45 years.
The largest segment was the 30-45 years age group, accounting for 2,493 deaths. The 18-30 years group followed with 2,393 deaths. Tragically, even children were not spared. The report recorded 164 deaths in the below 14 years category.
This report underscores a serious public health and agricultural safety issue in northern India. It calls for urgent attention to storage practices, chemical use, and farmer education to prevent such needless loss of life.
