Srinagar, Dec. 30 -- Kashmir's apple orchards, a cornerstone of the Valley's rural economy, are under scrutiny as lawmakers and medical experts raise alarms over a possible link between prolonged pesticide use and rising cases of malignant brain tumours among orchard workers. The House Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, chaired by CPM legislator M.Y. Tarigami, met officials, scientists, and health experts to examine health hazards faced by apple farmers. The committee highlighted that farmers, unaware of pesticide toxicity, face serious health risks while supporting an industry that contributes over 70% of India's apple production.Evidence from a 2005-2008 study by Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKI...