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Green revolution refers to a series of research, development, and technology transfer initiatives, occurring between the 1940s and the late 1970s.The initiatives was  led by Dr. Norman E Borlaug, the "Father of the Green Revolution" credited with saving over a billion people from starvation, involved the development of high yielding varieties of cereal grains, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, modernization of management techniques, distribution of hybridized seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides to the farmers.  After the green revolution, the production of cereal crops tripled with only a 30% increase in the land area cultivated. This came true all over the world, with a few exceptions. In addition, there were significant impacts on poverty reduction and lower food prices. Studies also showed that without the green revolution, caloric availability would have declined by around 11–13%. These efforts benefitted all consumers in the world, particularly the poor. There were further improved returns to the crop improvement research. It also prevented the conversion of thousands of hectares of land for agriculture. The green revolution helped India move from a state of importing grains to a state of self-sufficiency. Earlier, it was the ship-to-mouth system, i.e., India depended on imported food items. There are undoubtedly positive effects on the overall food security in India. Correspondingly, useful and elaborate evidence in support of the positive impact of the green revolution is available. However, after a certain period, some unintended but adverse effects of the green revolution were noticed.

Impact of green revolution on environment

Green Revolution resulted in environmental degradation and increased income inequality, inequitable asset distribution etc.  Green Revolution was spread only in irrigated and high-potential rainfed areas, and many villages or regions without access to sufficient water were leftout.

Ø  According to Miguel A. Altieri, (a pioneer of agroecology and peasant-advocate), written that comparison between traditional systems and Green Revolution agriculture has been unfair, because Green Revolution agriculture produces monocultures of cereal grains, while traditional agriculture usually incorporates polycultures. These monoculture crops are often used for export, feed for animals, or conversion into biofuel.

Ø  According to Emile Frison of Bioversity International, GR has also led to a change in dietary habits, as fewer people are affected by hunger and die from starvation, but many are affected by malnutrition such as iron or vitamin-A deficiencies. Almost 60% of yearly deaths of children under age five in developing countries are related to malnutrition.

Ø  High yielding rice varieties was found to have inferior flavor and be more glutinous and less savory than their native varieties.

Ø  Use of heavy pesticides in rice farming and killed-off fish and weedy green vegetables

Ø  In India, GR also contributed to better nutrition by raising incomes and reducing prices, which permitted people to consume more calories and a more diversified diet.

Ø  In 1989, WHO and UNEP estimated that there were around 1 million human pesticide poisonings annually & 20,000 (mostly in developing countries) ended in death, as a result of poor labeling, loose safety standards etc.

Ø  Long term exposure to pesticides such as organochlorines and sulfate have been correlated with higher cancer rates and organochlorines DDT, chlordane, and lindane as tumor promoters in animals.

Ø  According Vandana Shiva (Environmental activist) has written GR in Punjab heavy use of chemical inputs and monocultures has resulted in water scarcity, vulnerability to pests, and incidents of violent conflict and social marginalization.

Ø  Excessive and inappropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides has polluted waterways, poisoned agricultural workers, and killed beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Ø  The heavy dependence on a few major cereal varieties (monocropping) has led to loss of biodiversity on farms.In Asia cereal production doubled between 1970 and 1975, yet total land area cultivated with cereals increased by only 4%.

  Reference

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.644559/full