Pesticide-contaminated pasture kills 20 sheep in J&K's Tral, Pulwama
Synopsis
Twenty sheep died in J&K's Tral in a single day after grazing on grass suspected to be laced with pesticides — the second such mass livestock death in Kashmir in under two months. The back-to-back incidents are exposing a slow-moving crisis: orchard pesticide runoff is quietly poisoning the grazing routes that thousands of shepherds depend on for their survival.
Key Takeaways
20 sheep belonging to shepherd Bilal Ahmad of Seer Tral died on 12 June in the Kehlil area of Tral , Pulwama district , J&K.
The flock is suspected to have grazed on pesticide-contaminated grass ; the official cause of death has not been confirmed.
A similar incident on 26 April killed eight sheep in Yarigund, Budgam district ; police registered a case in that instance.
Experts warn that excessive pesticide and fungicide use in Kashmir's apple orchards is entering the food chain of livestock and potentially humans.
Shepherds and locals are demanding investigation, contamination mapping, and compensation for affected livestock owners.
At least 20 sheep died on Friday, 12 June in the Kehlil area of Tral, Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, after grazing on grass suspected to have been contaminated with pesticides. The livestock belonged to Bilal Ahmad, a shepherd from Seer Tral in South Kashmir, who was reportedly moving the flock toward highland meadows when the animals began collapsing. The exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed.
What Happened on the Ground
According to shepherds present at the scene, the sheep grazed on grass in the Kehlil area shortly before they started falling ill and collapsing. All 20 animals subsequently died, inflicting a severe financial blow on Ahmad, who depends on seasonal grazing routes for his livelihood. Local residents have urged concerned departments to determine the precise cause of death and extend appropriate relief to the affected shepherd.
A Recurring Pattern Across Kashmir
This is not an isolated incident. Less than two months earlier, on 26 April, eight sheep died under similarly suspected toxic conditions in the Yarigund area of Kawoosa, Budgam district. Police had registered a case and launched an investigation into that episode. The recurrence of such deaths along grazing routes has intensified demands from livestock owners for a thorough probe into the use of agricultural chemicals in areas accessible to grazing animals.
The Pesticide Problem in Kashmir's Orchards
Experts have flagged the excessive use of fungicides and pesticides in Kashmir's fruit orchards — particularly apple orchards — as a growing environmental hazard. Chemicals applied in orchards are reportedly seeping into adjoining grazing land and water sources, entering the food chain of animals and, potentially, humans. Concerns have also been raised about the safety of pesticide-sprayed apples for human consumption. Experts warn that without a rapid shift toward organic farming practices, the Valley's horticulture industry risks long-term ecological and commercial damage.
Calls for Action and Investigation
Shepherds and livestock owners across South Kashmir are demanding that authorities identify the specific chemicals responsible, map contaminated grazing zones, and put in place preventive measures before the next seasonal migration. They are also seeking compensation for losses already incurred. The latest deaths have added urgency to calls for stricter regulation of pesticide application near common grazing lands and highland meadows.
Point of View
Leaving shepherds entirely exposed. The state's response so far — a police case here, a local inquiry there — is reactive and piecemeal. What is needed is a mapped exclusion buffer around high-pesticide orchards and a compensation mechanism that does not require shepherds to navigate bureaucracy after they have already lost their flock.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the death of 20 sheep in Tral, Pulwama?
The sheep are suspected to have died after grazing on grass contaminated with pesticides in the Kehlil area of Tral on 12 June. However, the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed and an investigation is awaited.
Who owns the sheep that died in the Tral incident?
The 20 sheep belonged to Bilal Ahmad, a shepherd from Seer Tral in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. He was reportedly moving the flock to highland meadows when the animals began collapsing.
Has this happened before in Jammu and Kashmir?
Yes. A similar incident was reported on 26 April in the Yarigund area of Kawoosa, Budgam district, where eight sheep died under suspected toxic conditions. Police registered a case and initiated an investigation into that episode.
Why are Kashmir's grazing areas at risk from pesticides?
Experts say the excessive use of fungicides and pesticides in Kashmir's fruit orchards — especially apple orchards — is seeping into adjoining grazing land and water sources. This is reportedly entering the food chain of livestock and raising concerns about human health as well.
What are shepherds and locals demanding after the Tral incident?
Shepherds and livestock owners are calling for a thorough investigation into pesticide use near grazing routes, mapping of contaminated zones, stricter regulation of chemical application near common pastures, and financial assistance for affected shepherd Bilal Ahmad.
