Global No Pesticides Use Day Date in the current year: December 3, 2024

The disaster was a massive gas leak that occurred on the night of December 2– 3, 1984, at a pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Over 500,000 people were exposed to large amounts of methyl isocyanate and other toxic chemicals. Nearly 8,000 people died withing two weeks after the disaster, above 550,000 people were injured. About 20,000 people have died from gas-related diseases in the years since.

Global No Pesticide Use Day was first held in 1998 to raise awareness of the hazards and risks of pesticide use as well as promote sustainable alternatives to pesticides. In 2010, the No Pesticides Use Day campaign was extended for a week. No Pesticides Use Week starts on December 3 and culminates on World Human Rights Day (December 10).

All campaign events and activities are held during the entire week. They are coordinated by PAN International and its regional branches in collaboration with national partner organizations. The events focus on commemorating the disaster and drawing attention to the adverse effects of pesticides.