Endosulfan in Kerala:Why & How Endosulfan was used in Kerala

It was in the early 1978 that endosulfan was started spraying in the cashew plantations of Kasargod district situated in Kerala state of India. Actually this toxic pesticide was used to destroy the pests in the cashew nut plantations. The people of Kerala are familiar with the fact that cashew nut plantations are seen in different parts of Kerala. But this toxic chemical was used only in Kasargod. Some areas of Kasargod district like Muliayar, Periya etc. were worst affected by this pesticide. Remember that here endosulfan was sprayed by aerial methods. Endosulfan can remain in the environment for a long time & so they are considered as POP's. Even though the drastic situations in Kasargod increased day by day, the government & the company that manufactured endosulfan were closing their eyes. So it was clear that government was helping the pesticide lobby. Without giving much importance to the dangerous effects, it was used. As a result, the people of Kasargod suffered a lot from the problems created by endosulfan. Endosulfan is an insecticide which is not safe to use. But it is having low price when compared to other pesticides.

The Hindustan Insecticides Limited situated in Udyogamandal of Kerala state is one of the manufacturers of endosufan in our country. The endosulfan technical plants were started in Hindustan insecticides limited in the year 1980. Another two important companies which are the leading producers of endosulfan are the Coromandal Fertilizers & Excel Crop Care Ltd. The Head office of Excel Crop Care Ltd is situated at Mumbai. But the Coromandel Fertilizers Ltd is situated at Secunderabad.