Shimla: A group of 44 environmentalists, retired forest officials, scientists, academics and social activists has urged Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to order a statewide crackdown on glyphosate use to clear forest vegetation for commercial cultivation, particularly peas.In a letter to Sukhu on Thursday, the group led by Himalaya Niti Abhiyan coordinator Guman Singh sought an immediate ban on the sale, storage and spraying of Glyphosate 41% SL and strict action against those using it to clear forest land for agriculture.The demand follows the Forest Department’s recent destruction of illegal pea crops grown on forest land in Thachi area of Mandi’s Nachan Forest Division. The department has said it is investigating the cases and plans to register FIRs.The activists said glyphosate was also being used in parts of Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Chamba to remove grass and natural vegetation before planting high-value off-season peas. They warned that such practices could damage biodiversity and soil ecosystems and leave mountain slopes more vulnerable to erosion and landslides during heavy rain and cloudbursts.The group sought district-wise investigations, surveillance of vulnerable forest areas and a statewide survey using drones, satellite imagery and GIS mapping to identify changes in forest-land use. It also sought scientific testing of soil, vegetation and water sources for pesticide residues and restoration of damaged ecosystems.The signatories demanded identification of encroachments made after Dec 13, 2005, the Forest Rights Act cut-off date, and said such encroachments should not be recognised under the law.They also sought action against social-media advertisements promoting herbicides for forest clearance and forest protection and awareness committees at development-block level.Among the signatories are environmentalist Kulbhushan Upmanyu, retired forest officers Ashok Kumar Somal, B S Rana, A K Thakur and Birbal Singh Yadav, former HPU law dean Prof A S Sankhyan, former JNU professor Prof Variam Singh, Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram and former Himachal govt special secretary Dr Rakesh Kapoor.