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January 2026 – A first-of-its-kind national study reveals that piggery clusters across India are dumping untreated dung, effluents, carcasses and even biomedical waste into drains and fields – creating ideal conditions for respiratory illness, diarrhoeal outbreaks, vector-borne diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
People for Animals – Public Policy Foundation (PFA-PPF) and Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) have released a report uncovering the serious and escalating public health hazards emerging from India’s unregulated piggery industry by illustrating the link between waste mismanagement in pig-rearing units to measurable risks for human health, marking the first such comprehensive assessment in the country.
Drawing from extensive field visits in multiple states and published scientific research, the report reveals systemic dumping of piggery waste into drains, agricultural fields and water bodies, allowing pathogens and toxic contaminants to leach into water sources. Research shows that gases like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from untreated manure and slurry can trigger respiratory irritation, neurological distress and chronic lung disease, particularly among children, elderly, and farm workers.
Improper disposal of carcasses and biomedical residues including needles, syringes and blood, heightens the risk of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and vector-borne outbreaks, creating a silent but pervasive health crisis. The paper concludes that none of the piggery units possess essential infrastructure such as effluent treatment systems, ventilation, drainage and biosecurity barriers, making them high-risk hotspots for disease transmission.
The report calls for urgent action from governments and regulators to implement licensing frameworks, prohibit swill-feeding, establish carcass processing systems and mandate environmental monitoring around pig clusters.
“The shrinking barrier created by intensive animal farming practices not only amplifies risks to human health but also contaminates the environment, posing particular dangers to vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. This proximity demands urgent action to safeguard communities and promote education on best practices to mitigate these risks” said Dr. Rajeena Shahin, Medical Director, Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN India)
Meeta Aggrawal, from People for Animals – Public Policy Foundation (PFA-PPF) said: “India cannot afford to ignore this ticking time bomb. Pigs are being raised in environments that violate every basic principle of animal welfare and hygiene, and the fallout is already being felt by nearby communities. This report makes it unequivocally clear that improving animal welfare is not optional, it is essential to public health.”
The report emphasizes that addressing waste mismanagement in the piggery sector is crucial to public health protection, and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, environmental agencies and animal husbandry agencies to address these risks before they manifest as full-blown disease emergencies.
