Endosulfan in Kerala

It all started in 1984 when the Plantation Corporation began spraying Endosulfan in their cashew plantation at Kasaragod as a pesticide. Since it was usual practice to spray pesticides for controlling or removing pests in crops, nobody cared about it. Later, among the natives certain abnormalities started developing, especially among the children. On inquiries and studies it was found to be because of the intake of the pesticide. Though the pesticide was used in plantations, it came into the people living in the neighborhood through water bodies and agriculture produces. Thus it was established that the use of Endosulphan was affecting the people and other living organism in and around that village. Not only physical but mental abnormalities also were reported. Thus the human life in that area became miserable. Consequently several deaths also were reported

People started campaigns against the use of Endosulfan. Various voluntary and research organizations came forward to support them. Statewide campaign against the use of Endosulphan in different forms resulted in Government's interference in the issue. Finally, in 2006, Government issued an order banning the use of Endosulphan in Kasargod. But even now the effects of the earlier use of this pesticide haunt the life in the village.

It was astonishing to note that these happenings had not fully understood by the higher ups at New Delhi. In the international convention held at Geneva in last October, Indian representative was deadly against the motion for banning Endosulfan throughout the world. He even misquoted that the ban on Endosulphan by the Kerala Government would be shifted soon. However the motion was passed. Recently one of the Ministers representing Kerala in the Central cabinet said that there was no evidence to show that the physical disabilities and such other problems in Kasargod was because of Endosulfan.

Anyway, the issue has become alive since most of the political parties and organizations have come forward against the use of Endosulfan as a pesticide. The proposal by the Central Minister to study the effects of this pesticide has not been welcomed by most of the people as well as the political parties. Even the Chief Minister has stated against this proposal. The reason for this attitude is mainly because of the fact that various studies have already established the bad effects of this pesticide. Moreover, hundreds of 'living specimens' exist in the affected area, which anybody can visit and verify.