Endosulfan Tragedy in Kerala-Need of Ban on Endosulfan
Endosulfan is one of the hot topics, discussing now a days, in India. Controversy is going on between supporters of ban on endosulfan and opponents. A national level and global level ban on endosulfan is being demanded by the anti-endosulfan activists as it has become a real time tragedy in kerala.
Endosulfan is one of the hot topics, discussing now a days, in India. Controversy is going on between supporters of ban on endosulfan and opponents. The international level and national level protest against the use of endosulfan has started years ago. More than 70 countries have already banned the use of this hazardous pesticide. But in a national level total ban is not implemented yet. A national level campaign is organized to force the central government to impose a complete ban at national level and to support the global ban on endosulfan at the UN's Stockhom convention on PoP on 25th April 2011, is the latest development in this issue.
Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide used to control insects on food and non-food crops. It has highly acute toxicity and act as an endocrine disruption. Studies have proven that it will cause a number of diseases in human as well as animal.Health Problems
Endosulfan enters into the body by drinking contaminated water, breathing contaminated air,eating food crops on which endosulfan is applied or from skin contact. The researches proved that the detection of endosulfan and its breakdown products in breast milk, food corps and vegetables.
In human body it causes to a number of health problems. Endosulfan damages the function of central nervous system. It affects the growth of organs and brain in children. Some of other health problems are damage of kidney, liver immune system, etc. Debates are also going on the possibility of cancer by the exposure of endosulfan. There are some genetical diseases are also reported.Endosulfan in Kerala
In Kasargod District, more than 9000 patients are said to be victims of Endosulfan. After a 14 years' outcry from social activists and anti-endosulfan activists, the Government of Kerala has imposed restrictions on the use and marketing of pesticides. Still the illegal application of the endosulfan has reported in Kerala.The Central Government's Stand on use of Endosulfan
The Central Government's attitude is against the ban on endosulfan. The Government claimed that there is no scientific basis for ban. In the Stockhom Convention of October 2010, India is the only nation that voted against worldwide ban. The National Human Rights Commission is also questioned the stand of Government and called for a ban at National Level.Supporters of ban V/s Opponents
The Social, human and anti-endosulfan activists are demanding a national level ban on endosulfan. On the other hand the opponents are opposing the ban. Their arguments are as follows.
1. The substitute pesticides are costlier than endosulfan
2. There is no scientific basis for ban
3. The health problem reported are not scientifically proven that they are caused by the use of endosulfanThe Rehabilitation and Relief
No effective steps are taken by the Centre and State Governments to help and rehabilitate the victims of endosulfan. Reports are coming out that even medical aids, offered by the state government, are not available in affected parts of Kerala when required. One of the main demands of the anti-endosulfan activists is the rehabilitation and relief to the affected people.
Job oriented
Banning endosulfan is the need of the hour taking into account the sufferings of the people in and around the kasaragod cashew nut estates .
But simply banning it will not give any good . Heavy black marketing will come also for endosulfan as it is much basic a need for the estate farmers .
the decision taken at Stokholm is a good sign for the world but then taking decision is just a guide to the path for well being , it should be implemented well too . there should come a good substitute for the pesticide which is as cheap
Moreover the HIL public Limited which produces about one eighth of the endosulfan in india and which is run by state of Kerala should think of starting the production of some other useful chemical rather than such poisonous substances .