HomeglobalThe human cost of a deadly weed killer: banning of paraquat in Telangana

The human cost of a deadly weed killer: banning of paraquat in Telangana

globalJune 13, 2026
1 min read
The human cost of a deadly weed killer: banning of  paraquat in Telangana
In March, Telangana banned paraquat, one of the world’s most widely used and highly toxic weedicides, becoming only the third State in India to do so. The herbicide is responsible for hundreds of deat
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At 50, Banoth Goud (name changed) has lived to tell a tale. “I may look normal, but I become breathless when I climb stairs or walk more than five minutes. The doctor says my lungs got affected,” he says.

About three years ago, on a sweltering afternoon, Goud opened his refrigerator, took out a small plastic bottle labelled with a popular juice brand, and took a sip. The drink did not have the sweet, tart apple flavour that he was used to; instead, it tasted flat. He began vomiting.

Published - June 13, 2026 06:15 am IST

Ground Zero / pesticides / suicide / farms / agriculture / Agriculture / Telangana

Source: The Hindu - India News

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