Pesticides play an indispensable role in modern agriculture by controlling pests and enhancing crop productivity to sustain the needs of an expanding population. However, their excessive and indiscriminate application has led to serious ecological and environmental consequences. This review provides an overview of pesticide use in India, emphasizing usage patterns, chemical compositions, and toxic effects on non-target aquatic organisms, particularly fish. Fish are widely regarded as sensitive bio indicators of aquatic health because of their ability to bio accumulate toxic compounds and their susceptibility to water quality alterations caused by agricultural runoff. Pesticides enter aquatic ecosystems through surface runoff, leaching, and atmospheric deposition, leading to bioaccumulation and bio magnification, which disrupt ecological balance and food web dynamics. Exposure to these contaminants results in several physiological, behavioral, and histopathological changes in fish, including impaired reproduction, reduced survival, and damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, and gills. Behavioral abnormalities like erratic swimming and loss of equilibrium further indicate sub-lethal toxic effects. In addition, chronic pesticide exposure poses significant risks to human health through contaminated food and water, contributing to neurological, respiratory, and carcinogenic disorders. To minimize these detrimental impacts, sustainable agricultural approaches are essential. Practices such as bio pesticide application, organic farming, and the development of pest-resistant transgenic crops offer promising alternatives to chemical pesticides. Regular biomonitoring of aquatic systems, stricter regulatory enforcement, and integrated pest management strategies are crucial to safeguard aquatic biodiversity and ensure the sustainable coexistence of agriculture and environmental health.
Keywords: Pesticides, Aquatic ecosystems, Bioaccumulation, Fish toxicity, Sustainable agriculture