Ban Synthetic Pesticides around National Parks, Sanctuaries, RFs and Protected areas
A Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Govt. of India project on use of Neem as pesticides has shown that the neem based pesticide is highly effective not only in the tea estates of south India but also in other parts of the country. And most importantly, it is helping in regeneration ie. it is helping as a fertiliser as well. Clearly, the second aspect is an amazing realisation which was not the initial project goal. This clearly shows that our traditional thinking of sprinkling grounded neem leaves mixed in water as was practiced by our grand mothers, is highly effective.
The Synthetic Pesticides are causing a havoc polluting our ground water sources, poisoning our soil, killing our birds and animals and bees. Generations to come are being poisoned by the use of harmful pesticides. For the continued use of Endosulfan and the havoc it is creating read here: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5224
Elephant deaths due to pesticide poisoning: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5062
In US, the Honeybee colony collapse disorder has been found to be due to the high level of pesticide residues. The honeybees feed on the nectar from flowering plants which have been sprayed with pesticides. The pesticide residue gradually builds up and finally it reaches as state where it leads to collapse of the Honeybee colony. Further details can be found here: http://www.naturalnews.com/028429_co...chemicals.html
Infact, some of the pesticides which are withdrawn from other countries are still being sold in India. For example, Furadan which was earlier sold in Africa by FMC, started withdrawing it when lions started dying due to it. However, the same Furadan is being sold by Rallis India. Some details about it can be found here: http://indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14187 and here: http://www.furadanfacts.com/InTheNews.aspx?itemId=1002
Our wilderness areas give rise to our numerous streams and rivers and serve as the lifeline for our country and our economy. Clearly, it is not a good idea to poison these streams and rivers. Hence, with a clear alternative in sight, It is time to ban synthetic pesticides around National parks, Sanctuaries, Reserve Forests, protected areas, wetlands and areas of ecological importance.
Sale and Usage of synthetic pesticides has to be banned atleast in an area of 50km radius around our National parks, Sanctuaries, Reserve Forests, protected areas, wetlands and areas of ecological importance. This will force our farmers, estate owners to shift away from synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.
I am sure the powerful pesticide lobby will use their considerable resources to fight against such a move. However, there is no other way to prevent willful poisoning of our wild animals, soil and water resources.
It would be good if our members can write/tweet to the Hon'ble Minister of Fertilisers and Chemicals. Shri Ananth Kumar @AnanthKumar_BJP & through facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Ananthkumar.official ) email: mincf.cpc@sb.nic.in , Fax: 011-23384020 (office), and letter at Room No. 315, A Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001, Phone: +911123386519
and also to the Hon'ble Minister Earth Sciences, Science & Technology & MoEF&CC, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016 Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi - 110003, Phone: 011-26567373, fax:011-26862418 Twitter: @drharshvardhan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drharshvardhanofficial
Edit: Updated to reflect new ministers
Cheers,
Sabyasachi
Kochi endosulfan unit ordered to close
Kochi endosulfan unit ordered to close
Roy Mathew
Public sector Hindustan Insecticides charged with polluting environment
Repeated demands to shift hazardous wastes to common treatment facility ignored
Pesticide residues leaching into neighbourhood
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) on Tuesday ordered Hindustan Insecticides Limited, Kochi, manufacturing endosulfan, to close down its operations on charges of environmental pollution. The public sector company has been asked to close down “all operations and process in the industry with immediate effect.” However, it will have seven days to report compliance as some processes need time for total shutdown, says the PCB order.
Chairman K. Sajeevan said in an interview that the company, which manufactures other pesticides, besides endosulfan, had been continuously violating conditions of the ‘integrated consent to operate' granted by the PCB that specified proper handling of effluents and hazardous waste. Repeated demands made by the Board to shift hazardous wastes to the common treatment, storage and disposal facility at Ambalamedu were ignored. Nor did the company respond to a show-cause issued last month.
The Chairman said pesticide residues and their degradation products were leaching into the neighbourhood. The nearby stream, Kuzhikandam Thodu, was contaminated, leading to death of fish in the past. People were living within 200 metres of the factory; and four industries in the locality — HIL, FACT, IRE and Mercum — were supplying drinking water to 2,140 families.
The PCB order said HIL had violated provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the Environment (Protection) Act and the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules. As per the consent given for its operation, the company had to close the earthen lagoon containing hazardous waste on its premises after transferring the liquid part to the effluent treatment plant and shifting the entire quantity of hazardous wastes to the common disposal facility.
Backfilling of the lagoon after de-sludging was to be completed before June 2010. However, the company had not even kept its promise to complete the work by April 30, 2011. An inspection by the Board officers on April 18 and May 2 confirmed that no measures had been taken by the company to remove the sludge. There was also the chance of toxic sludge seeping into nearby waterbodies through storm water.
Link - http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/11/stor...1162310700.htm
Court to consider passing interim order banning endosulfan
Some positive news..
Court to consider passing interim order banning endosulfan
Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated that it would consider passing an interim order on Friday imposing a ban on the production of endosulfan, considering the harmful effects of this pesticide on the people of this country.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar posted the matter for further hearing on May 13 after impleading the pesticide manufacturers. The Bench was hearing a petition filed by the Democratic Youth Federation of India.
Senior counsel Krishnan Venugopal, appearing for the petitioner insisted on the court to impose a ban. However, Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam informed the court that the government had constituted two committees to go into the harmful effects of endosulfan on the people.
He said the two committees would be made into one and two experts, one epidemiologist and one immunologist would be inducted into the committee and a report would be submitted in three months. The court could consider passing an interim order thereafter, he said.
The SG said the Centre issued a notification banning endosulfan in Kerala in 2006 itself but its use had to be phased out after a cost effective alternate pesticide was found out.
Senior counsel Soli Sorabjee, appearing for the manufacturers said the manufacturers should be heard before any order was passed. The CJI told the counsel “if we allow manufacture of a pesticide which is found to be harmful, we can't put the clock back. If the report is in your favour, we can always reconsider our order.”
However, after Mr. Sorabjee insisted on further hearing the Bench posted the matter for Friday. The DYFI in its petition said the valuable life of a large section of people was directly affected because of the use of endosulfan a pesticide which was already banned in 81 countries all over the world and its use of was not permitted in another 12 countries. The petitioner said several studies had documented that endosulfan could also affect human development.
It said endosulfan was the only pesticide applied to cashew plantations in the hills for 20 years and had contaminated the village environment.
The excessive use of chemicals and pesticides for optimising agricultural production created alarming danger to health and safety of living beings in general and agricultural workers in particular.
Link - http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/12/stor...1265400900.htm
Pesticide exposure can harm memory: scientists
Pesticide exposure can harm memory: scientists
Press Trust of India / London December 02, 2012, 16:05
Exposure to even low levels of organophosphates in pesticides can cause lasting harm to the brain, scientists say.
In a review of 14 separate studies, researchers found that these chemicals can reduce memory and the ability to process information quickly.
The findings, by researchers at University College London and the Open University, are the most comprehensive evidence yet that organophosphates can harm human health at low levels.
Doctors have long recognised that in high doses the chemicals, which are used to kill or repel insects and are also ingredients in aviation fuel and in some flame retardants, can be toxic, but the effects of lower doses have remained controversial, The Telegraph reported.
Dr Sarah McKenzie Ross, a clinical psychologist and honorary senior lecturer at University College London, said that there now needed to be tighter safety rules for people exposed to the chemicals during their jobs.
"The studies we looked at were in people who were exposed occupationally on a regular basis but were not getting ill from that exposure," she said.
"The weight of evidence is that low level exposure is harmful. It targets memory, information processing speed, the ability to plan and have abstract thoughts," she added.
The report, which is published in the journal of Critical Reviews in Toxicology, examined evidence from 14 studies that had looked at the health of 1,600 participants.
Using statistical analysis, McKenzie Ross and her colleagues concluded that low level doses could impact on memory and information processing, it did not impact on language or overall intellect.
"We have conducted our own study into UK farmers and those we interviewed said it was making it difficult for them to work at auctions where things happen fast," McKenzie Ross said.
"Aviation workers have also talked about struggling to retain information from air traffic control. We now need to be clear about what the risks are and make sure the correct safety measures are taken," she said.