Disallowing Endosulfan in Madhya Pradesh.

PHOTOS : Excel group directing Indian delegates at Geneva.

Mr. Ganesan

General Manager

Excel group of industries, Gujarat, 

He is here as director of an "NGO", ICC (Indian Chemical Council)

 and

Mr. Hariharan

Director Board Member

Excel group of industries, Gujarat

 He is here as representative of ISC (International Stewardship Center)

Indian Delegates are just following these "Bosses".

When delegates from other countries are very sympathetic to our need sold out Indian delegates are ploting against this world and the people of our nation.

I must say many countries are actually very much impressed by Kerala and its unified fight against this Persistent Organic Pollutants.

I will share the details of who all have helped us (ofcourse only after the convention as its issues of bilateral diplomacy)... some times to the extent that I almost became emotional.

Here whats happening is a fight wit Indian delegates and pesticide company at one end and humanity and urge for safer earth on other end.

Regards

Dr. Asheel

World Map of Endosulfan.

Worldwide Production of Endosulfan - 12,800 Metric Tonnes
Production of India - 9,000 Metric Tonnes

India Exporting Harm...
BAN ENDOSULFAN.

Why endosulfan should be banned in India.

Why Endosulfan should be banned in India?

There are a number of reasons to state Endosulfan should be banned globally. We are pointing out some of the reasons herewith.

1.     There are more than 150 health studies published in the international medical journals.  All these papers prove scientifically that Endosulfan causes serious health issues. The list of such papers is attached as Annexure- 1.

2.      In Kerala, the use of Endosulfan caused the death of more than 500 persons and around 5000 victims are living with serious health issues. The latest epidemiological study (2011) conducted by the Govt. Medical College, Calicut, Kerala has revealed the long term health issues caused due to Endosulfan.  

Major conclusion of the study

• The reproductive health events including infertility, precocious puberty, abortion, intra uterine death (IUD)/ still birth, neonatal/ child death were found significantly higher in study population when compared to control population.

• Among the youth population (below the age of 40-) the rate of surgery for any heart diseases , hernia and  genito urinary causes were higher in area study group  than control group.  

• When the  prevalence of  morbidity in adolescents were assessed  it was found that  any organ anomaly , birth defects, congenital heart disease, seizure, skin problems and reproductive disorders  were significantly higher in study group when compared to control groups.  The study report is attached as Annexure - 2.

3.     The United Nations 6^th POP Review Committee (2010) recommended the Global phase out of Endosulfan, by considering its long range environmental transport and significant adverse human health and environmental effects. UNEP also declared it as a Persistent Organic Pollutant. Endosulfan will travel a long distance through the water and pollutes the environment, where ever it reaches. The continuous use in any single country will affect the whole world and its environment badly. The report is attached as Annexure - 3.

4.     The previous experiences of banning dangerous pesticides have proved that such ban would not affect agricultural production in any way. It would only trigger the use of alternatives. BHC, a pesticide similar to Endosulfan was banned in 1996, without consulting with any states. At that time, the consumption of BHC was 40% of the total pesticide use. The then counter arguments were the same like broad spectrum used, cheap pesticide, no alternative, no scientific proof for health issues etc. But BHC was easily replaced by less harmful alternatives. An article on this attached as Annexure-4.

5.     81 countries have either banned or declared phase out of Endosulfan. 12 countries haven't even used it. All the nations those who banned it have done this based on the expert opinion and scientific papers. The list of nations is attached as Annexure-5.

6.     There is alternative for every single recommended use of Endosulfan in India. In Andhra Pradesh, Non-pesticides management program has been running over 2.3 million acres of land. More than 3000 villages are cultivating crops without any pesticide. The practical alternatives suggested by them are attached as Annexure-6.

7.     Field guide hand book published by PAN, an international environmental organization says "How to grow crops without Endosulfan".  A copy of the same is attached as Annexure-7.

8.     By considering a lot of long term scientific studies including NIOH study, the National Human Rights Commission has recommended for a complete Ban on Endosulfan within the country (2011) and to join the global phase out in the 5^th conference of parties of the Stockholm Convention. A copy of the same is attached as Annexure-8.

9.     The famous scientists including Dr.M.S.Swaminathan (advisory Board member of UPA Govt.) have already advised to ban Endosulfan.

10.            India had always kept its head high in Stockholm conventions, by declaring its bold stand to protect the environment. Any deviation from such stand will badly affect the reputation of the country among the international community.

Based on the merit of these facts, scientific papers and decisions, we humbly request the Nation to ban Endosulfan at the earliest. We also request to support the Global Ban on Endosulfan in the 5^th conference of parties of the Stockholm convention. 

High financial stakes dictate agenda

by Ravi Agarwal.

WHEN Sharad Pawar, India’s powerful agricultural minister, recently spoke in defence of endosulfan in Parliament, it was a first of sorts. Probably, never before had a mere chemical attracted the interest of such a highprofile minister.

However, endosulfan is no mere chemical.

It is one whose recent history has been written in guile, intrigue and politics.

Endosulfan is arguably one of the most toxic pesticides being used on the planet today. The international scientific community has formally recommended it for a global ban in the upcoming 172- nation meeting of the Stockholm Convention, an international legally binding UN treaty dealing with the most toxic chemicals in use.

Endosulfan currently tops this notorious list, with 21 already having been acted upon previously. The pesticide can cause severe health impacts including deformities in limbs, loss of motor control, brain damage, delayed puberty and cancer. It persists in the environment for a long time, circulates globally and passes on from the mother to the child, causing intergenerational health effects. On all these counts, banning it should be an open and shut case, as has already been done by over 60 countries in order to prevent harm to their citizens and the environment.

In India, there is a twist to the tale. We produce about ` 4500 crore worth of the pesticide annually, which is over 70 per cent of the world’s supply, and consume almost half of it for our horticulture, pulses, cashew, cotton and other plantations.

Two Indian companies are the largest global manufacturers, one of them being a public sector company, Hindustan Insecticides Ltd.

It is no wonder then that with such huge economic stakes, the Union government has blatantly resisted any attempt to talk science regarding endosulfan’s toxicity ever since the debate became international four years ago. It has not only cocked a snook at global research, stating it inapplicable to the tropics ( are Indian bodies so different?), but has made valiant ( though seemingly futile) efforts to disrupt the process without presenting any research to back its claims.

Government delegates to the International Science Review Committee have, invariably accompanied by representatives of the companies, attempted to block any discussion. Often company representatives have made official statements on behalf of the government.

It has been international diplomacy at its worst and the Indian behaviour has been whispered about in the UN corridors.

Activists and even academics from reputed institutions such as IIT Kanpur or the National Institute of Occupational Health, who dared to speak on the issue, have been publicly maligned, served legal notices or had criminal cases filed against them by the industry. Despite this, Kerala banned the use of endosulfan in 2002. The pesticide was widely used for aerial spraying on cashew crops in the state. The Karnataka government followed suit in 2010. A recent ban in Australia cited the health impacts in Kerala’s Kasaragod as one of the reasons for the ban.

Ironically, our very vociferous environment minister Jairam Ramesh chided the Kerala government for “ politicising the issue” and stated that a ban would have “ national implications”. Farmer leader Sharad Joshi has spoken against the proposed ban, fearing its impact on farmers and imputing motives on the EU to capture the market with new chemicals instead.

In fact, many alternative non- chemical approaches exist and have been documented. Simultaneously, the industry lobbying machinery is in full swing as the convention meeting draws closer.

Its representatives can be seen stalking the corridors of the environment and agriculture ministries. They should be less cocky, since India can be isolated in a global meeting.

Ravi Agarwal is director, Toxics.

Mail today, 20th April 2011.

EXCLUSIVE: നിയമങ്ങള്‍ ലംഘിച്ച് എന്‍ഡോസല്ഫാന്‍ ഉപയോഗിക്കാന്‍ ഒറീസ സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ ആവശ്യപ്പെടുന്നു !!

ഒറീസ സര്‍ക്കാരിന് കീഴിലെ കൃഷി വകുപ്പാണ് ഭക്ഷണ സാധനങ്ങള്‍ക്കടക്കം എന്‍ഡോസള്‍ഫാന്‍ നിയമവിരുദ്ധമായി തളിക്കാന്‍ കര്‍ഷകരോട് ആവശ്യപ്പെടുന്നത്.
കേന്ദ്ര കീടനാശിനി ബോര്‍ഡില്‍ രജിസ്ടര്‍ ചെയ്ത വിളകള്‍ക്കും കീടങ്ങള്‍ക്കും എതിരായേ ഓരോ കീടനാശിനിയും ഉപയോഗിക്കാവൂ എന്നാണ് നിയമം അനുശാസിക്കുന്നത്. . എന്‍ഡോസല്ഫാന്‍ ഉപയോഗിക്കാവുന്ന വിളകള്‍ ഇവയാണ്. Arhar, Bhindi, Brinjal, Cotton, Jute, Paddy, Maize, Wheat, Gram, Mustard , Bhindi, Chillies, Tea.
ഇതില്‍ എവിടെയും കശുമാവിന് എന്‍ഡോസല്ഫാന്‍ ഉപയോഗിക്കാം എന്ന് പറയുന്നില്ല. കാസര്‍ഗോട്ടെ മുപ്പതു വര്‍ഷത്തെ ഉപയോഗം നിയമാവിരുധമായിരുന്നു എന്നത് വ്യക്തമാണ്.

എന്നാല്‍ ഇതുപോലെ സ്റ്റേറ്റ് സ്പോണ്‍സര്‍ ചെയ്തുള്ള നരഹത്യ ഇപ്പോഴും ഇന്ത്യയുടെ പല ഭാഗത്തും നടക്കുന്നുണ്ട് എന്നതാണ് ഞെട്ടിക്കുന്ന വസ്തുത. റാഗി, പയര് വര്‍ഗ്ഗങ്ങള്‍, തക്കാളി തുടങ്ങിയ ഭക്ഷ്യ വസ്തുക്കളില്‍ നിയമവിരുദ്ധമായി എന്‍ഡോസല്ഫാന്‍ ഉപയോഗിക്കാന്‍ ഒറീസ സര്‍ക്കാരിന് കീഴിലെ കൃഷി മന്ത്രാലയം തന്നേ പറയുന്നതായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട രേഖകള്‍ തെളിയിക്കുന്നു. കൃഷി വകുപ്പ് പുറത്തിറക്കുന്ന പാക്കേജ് ഓഫ് പ്രാക്ടീസ് അനുസരിച്ച് എന്‍ഡോസല്ഫാന്‍ നിയമവിരുദ്ധമായി ഉപയോഗിക്കാന്‍ സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ കര്‍ഷകരോട് ആവശ്യപ്പെടുന്നു.

RAGI - Armyworm and cutworm - Endosulfan 4%

PULSES - Pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) - Endosulfan dust
Pod borer complex in arhar - Spray Endosulfan 35 EC @ 400 ml per acre with 200 litres of water
starting from flowering till pod maturity at 15 days intervals

CASTOR - Shoot and capsule borer (Conogethes punctiferalis) - Apply Endosulfan 35 EC @ 1000 ml


TOMATO - Serpentine leaf miner ( Liriomyza trifolii) - Spray Endosulfan 35 EC @ 400 ml/acre.


SWEET POTATO - Weevil (Cylas formicarius) and defoliators - Spray 400 ml/acre of Endosulfan 35 EC in 200 litres of water.

എന്നിങ്ങനെയാണ് കൃഷി വകുപ്പിന്റെ ഉപദേശം
മലയാളികള്‍ തനിക്കാവശ്യമുള്ളതിന്റെ സിംഹഭാഗം ഭക്ഷണവും ഇറക്കുമതി ചെയ്യുന്നതിനാല്‍, ഈ ഭക്ഷ്യ വസ്തുക്കളില്‍ പലതും കേരളത്തില്‍ എത്താന്‍ സാധ്യതയുണ്ട്.

എന്‍ഡോസല്ഫാന്‍ നിരോധനത്തെ എതിര്‍ക്കുമ്പോഴും നിയമവിരുദ്ധമായി അതുപയോഗിക്കാന്‍ ചില സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങള്‍ നടത്തുന്ന ശ്രമങ്ങളോട് കേന്ദ്ര കൃഷി മന്ത്രാലയം മൌനം പാലിക്കുകയാണ്.

NO BAN ON ENDOSULFAN, THEN NO VOTE FOR UDF

MAIL TODAY:Pawar on a sticky wicket after batting for toxic pesticide

Pawar on a sticky wicket after batting for toxic pesticide

By A. M. Jigeesh in New Delhi

AGRICULTURE minister Sharad Pawar has been caught on the wrong foot and may have to face a privilege motion in Parliament for misleading the House on the issue of banning endosulfan, a pesticide with multiple health hazards. The minister had informed the Lok Sabha on February 22 that a number of states were against imposing a ban on the pesticide and wanted to continue using it. " There are a number of states and farmers' organisations which want to continue the use of endosulfan," he had said. However, information obtained under the RTI Act from the Union ministry of agriculture reveals an entirely different story. The RTI response, contrary to what Pawar said in Lok Sabha, mentions that not a single state has so far requested the Centre not to ban the pesticide. The ministry has so far received just six letters — none from the states — with the plea that endosulfan should not be banned. Besides, three endosulfan producers have also requested the government to desist from banning the pesticide. A letter provided by the ministry from the Consortium of Indian Farmers Association ( CIFA) also urges the government not to ban the pesticide. The CIFA questions the findings of the National Institute of Occupational Health and Centre for Science and Environment, which state that the use of endosulfan can create serious health issues such as cancer, autism and neurological ailments. The ministry handed over these details in response to the RTI application filed by Kerala- based journalist D. Dhanasumod. The RTI letter, dated March 8, also reveals that the Centre has not reacted to the demands by Kerala and Karnataka governments to ban endosulfan. " No letter was sent by the ministry of agriculture to various states regarding the ban on endosulfan during the period January 1, 2010, to December 22, 2010," Vandana Jain, deputy secretary in the ministry, said in the RTI reply. Both the state governments have already banned the use of the pesticide. When MPs from Kerala and Karnataka, during the recently concluded Budget session, asked Pawar whether the Centre had any plan to ban the pesticide, he said: " There are a number of states, there are a number of farmers' organisations and there are a number of farmers' leaders who have taken a different stand. They want to use this particular pesticide. They have said their experience is extremely good and there is no case like Kerala elsewhere in the country." Justifying the application of the pesticide by a number of countries where it is being used, Pawar said: " It is true that endosulfan is banned in about 60 countries, but there are 40 countries where endosulfan has been allowed. Countries like Brazil, Australia and China do allow endosulfan even today." Pawar also told the House that the government had appointed four committees of scientists since 1992 and all of them favoured the use of endosulfan. The CPM, though, is not convinced. The party has said it will move a privilege motion against the agriculture minister. " Pawar is depending on just six letters for not banning endosulfan. Already, 73 countries have banned the pesticide. There at least 20 studies to prove that it is dangerous. He is playing into the hands of endosulfan producers and dealers," CPM deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, P. Karunakaran, said. The political implications of Pawar's defence of the pesticide notwithstanding, several organisations and groups have pointed out the harmful effects of its prolonged use. " Children were found to be the worst affected with congenital anomalies, mental retardation, physical deformities, cerebral palsy, etc. Men and women were also affected with various chronic ailments," says an association working for those afflicted by the use of endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka. The government has received 3,000 letters from organisations as well as individuals demanding a ban on the product. The National Human Rights Commission, too, has demanded a ban on the pesticide. Regarding the future course of action, Pawar had remarked: " They ( the committees) also said that if the spraying is harmful, it should be stopped. But knowing well the reactions from the media, environment groups and particularly a large section of population from Kerala, the government has decided to appoint a committee under the Indian Council of Medical Research. The panel will go into the details and we will accept their recommendations." CONTROVERSY BREWS Pawar informed Parliament that a number of states were against banning the pesticide endosulfan He also claimed that the experience of many farmers' organisations with the pesticide was " extremely good" An RTI reply, however, revealed that not a single state opposed the ban The letter, in fact, revealed that Kerala and Karnataka had called for a blanket ban on the pesticide The CPM lambasted the minister for his defence of the pesticide and accused him of concealing facts The party said it will move a privilege motion against Pawar According to Pawar, the government will appoint a committee under ICMR to look into the matter LOWDOWN ON ENDOSULFAN Endosulfan is an off- patent organochlorine insecticide. It has emerged as a highly controversial agrichemical owing to its acute toxicity and potential for bioaccumulation. A global ban on its use and manufacture is being considered under the Stockholm Convention. HEALTH HAZARD It can act as an endocrine disruptor, causing reproductive and developmental damage Symptoms of acute poisoning include hyperactivity, tremors, convulsions, lack of coordination, staggering, breathing problems, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and unconsciousness Many cases of sub- lethal poisoning have caused permanent brain damage Endosulfan can promote proliferation of breast cancer cells Doses as low as 35 mg/ kg are known to have caused death