India, Aug. 21 -- Forty-four social and environmental groups, retired forest officials and scientists have urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu to immediately ban glyphosate-based herbicides used for illegal pea and hemp cultivation on forest land.

They warn the chemical is drying vegetation, violating forest and biodiversity laws, undermining Mission 32 targets, and increasing erosion, landslide and water security risks in the fragile mountain state.

The controversy in Himachal Pradesh regarding the cultivation of peas with the herbicide glyphosate on forest land has reached state Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu.

In a letter sent to Sukhu, 44 social and environmental organisations from the state, retired forest depar...