Srinagar, May 14 -- Kashmir may be facing a slow and largely invisible public health crisis-one that does not emerge through sudden outbreaks, but through everyday exposure to what people eat.

Across the Valley, concerns are rising about excessive pesticide use and persistent food adulteration. The issue is particularly visible in South Kashmir, where horticulture forms the backbone of the local economy and chemical use has become deeply embedded in farming practices.

In parts of Shopian, residents describe an unsettling change. "Earlier, cancer cases were rare here," says a local orchard worker. "Now almost every area has someone affected." While anecdotal, such accounts reflect a growing concern among communities.

What was once perce...