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Thread: Ban Synthetic Pesticides around National Parks, Sanctuaries, RFs and Protected areas

  1. #1
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    Default 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    Infact, some of the pesticides which are withdrawn from other countries are still being sold in India.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

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    An important posting at the right time.

    The waterbodies within our forests are terribly polluted. Large mammals such as elephants require clear and cold fresh water for the upkeep of its bulk and quite sadly elephants are not getting clean water these days.

    River Moyar of Nilgiris which perhaps is the one that supports maximum number of Asiatic elephants, perhaps even tigers is polluted heavily owing to few industries in the upstream (near Ooty) and more importantly due to unabated use of fertilizers and pesticides in the plantations.

    Impact of polluted water on wildlife is not yet fully studied.

    We all should jointly strive in addressing this issue.

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    Some update how pesticides are harming wildlife..

    Pesticide ban call for around India's Kaziranga park
    By Subir Bhaumik
    BBC News, Kaziranga national park

    Campaigners say pesticides have killed elephants and other animals in Kaziranga.

    Forestry officials in the north-east Indian state of Assam have demanded the creation of a no-pesticide zone around the famous Kaziranga game sanctuary.

    The call follows the deaths of two pregnant elephants and other animals in tea estates around Kaziranga.

    The national park is renowned for its varied wildlife, especially the tiger and the one-horned Indian rhino.

    Officials say that mammals and birds were killed after eating grass that was contaminated by pesticides.

    The two elephants ventured out of the park in search of food and ate grass which had been sprayed to kill red ants, officials say.

    "The death of these elephants has brought the pesticide issue to the limelight, because the chemicals sprayed in tea estates are playing havoc with wildlife in our forests which are surrounded by hundreds of tea estates," said Anurag Singh, a senior forestry official in northern Assam where Kaziranga is located.

    The area has the highest concentration of tea estates in India.

    "The managements of these estates must turn to organic farming and stop spraying chemicals," Mr Singh said.

    'Endangering our wildlife'
    He added that hundreds of birds have died in the same area as has livestock which has eaten pesticide-laced grass in recent weeks.

    Unless we all go organic, our teas will be under a scanner and we will lose lucrative markets ”

    Gossainbarie tea estate owner Binod Saharia
    "The cows died in their dozens and the vultures who fed on them also died in large numbers. So you can imagine the effect on human health when consumers drink these teas," Mr Singh said.

    He said the forestry department was contemplating the prosecution of some tea estates if animals - especially those that are endangered - are killed by the pesticides.

    Local community groups also support a pesticide ban.

    "The tea estates should go organic and stop spraying random pesticides. They are not only endangering our wildlife and aquatic life but also our people," said Moni Manik Gogoi, who heads a "people's committee" near Kaziranga.

    Some tea estate owners have also supported the call, especially those who run estates which are fully organic.

    "Unless we all go organic, our teas will be under a scanner and we will lose lucrative markets where consumers are very health conscious," said Binod Saharia, owner of the Gossainbarie tea estate near Kaziranga.

    But some planters are wary of losing out if they make the transition.

    "The tea industry is so used to chemicals because they represent the easy option when combating plant diseases like halepeltis," said HS Siddhu, a veteran tea planter in Northern Assam.

    He said the planters should be persuaded rather than being forced to convert to organic farming.

    Link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12167318
    Regards,
    Mrudul Godbole

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    Green groups call for national ban on endosulfan
    04/21/2011 | 01:17 PM

    More than 100 groups renewed calls for the Philippine government to impose a national ban on endosulfan and support a global ban on the toxic pesticide.

    “We are writing with urgency to appeal to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to impose a national ban on endosulfan and to back a global ban of this highly hazardous organochlorine pesticide under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) of which the Republic of the Philippines is a party," they said in their letter, the text of which was posted on the blog site of EcoWaste Coalition, one of the groups that made the appeal.

    They noted that Dole Philippines, Inc. and Del Monte Philippines, Inc. — the only companies ever to have been permitted to use endosulfan in the country — never did renew their licenses to import and use the highly toxic pesticide since 2008.

    “The companies have shifted to alternative pesticides in the aftermath of the deadly M.V. Princess of the Stars maritime tragedy where some 10 metric tons of endosulfan also went down with the ill-fated passenger ship," they said. (Click here for related story.)

    Citing human health and ecological risks of endosulfan as listed by governments, academics and citizens’ groups, including testimonies from pollution victims, the groups voiced fears about the “toxic, bio-accumulative and persistent characteristics of endosulfan, providing the agency with a solid basis to act with resolve."

    The “toxic, bio-accumulative and persistent characteristics" they cited refers to endosulfan’s ability to remain in the food chain long after plants sprayed with the pesticide have been eaten my animals that, in turn, provide humans with food.

    Govt officials called on to act

    The letter was addressed to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority director Augusto Canlas.

    Copies of the letter were sent to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje; DENR Environmental Management Bureau head Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna; DENR Environmental Quality Division head Renato Cruz; and DENR Chemicals Management Section head Angelita Brabante.

    “We therefore urge your office to please expedite a process that will lead to the adoption of the above two-fold policy in time for the upcoming fifth Conference of Parties (COP5) of the Stockholm Convention in Geneva, Switzerland on April 25-29, 2011," the groups said.

    The groups said banning the use of endosulfan will bolster the “temporary ban" under Memorandum Circular 2009-02 dated February 26, 2009, issued by then Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr.

    According to the groups, the decision to ban endosulfan in the Philippines should be easy, non-contentious and defensible as the country has no registered use at all for endosulfan.

    Groups worldwide against endosulfan

    Also, they said the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June 2010 announced its action to terminate all uses of endosulfan because it “poses unacceptable risks to agricultural workers and wildlife, and can persist in the environment."

    They added over 80 governments, including the state governments of Kerala and Karnataka in India, the 27-country European Union and the governments of Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea and Sri Lanka, have taken decisive steps to protect human health and the environment by phasing out and banning endosulfan.

    “We hope that through your wise and able leadership the Philippines will rise to this global public health and environmental challenge and join the community of nations towards 'eliminating endosulfan from the face of the earth,'" they said.

    Groups that signed the letter included EcoWaste president Roy Alvarez, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives co-coordinator Manny Calonzo, and Pesticide Action Network-Philippines president Dr. Romy Quijano.

    The names of other signatories were posted on the EcoWaste blog site.

    “It is imperative for the Philippine delegation to bring to the meeting a strong policy position banning endosulfan, which has been linked to neurological disorders, mental retardations, congenital physical deformities, and deaths among community farmers and residents in developing countries," Quijano said.

    “We can no longer turn a blind eye to the health and environmental hazards caused by endosulfan. It's time for our country and the world to terminate this acutely toxic chemical pesticide," Calonzo added. – MRT/KBK, GMA News

    Link - Green groups call for national ban on endosulfan - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News
    Regards,
    Mrudul Godbole

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    The Kerala CM, Mr. Achudananthan is observing a fast stressing the centre to impose a ban on Endosulfan.

    This indeed is a good news and let us hope that the government awakes and phase out chemical pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers from our country enabling our countrymen to regain their lost health, physique and stamina.

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    The central government stand on this issue is both comic and tragic. It says there is no scientific evidence for a ban when the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) a high profile institute under its own control has submitted a detailed report with contents which justify a ban ten times over. Even the NHRC is shouting for a ban.


    Roopak

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    Default 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
    Regards,
    Mrudul Godbole

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    Default 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
    Regards,
    Mrudul Godbole

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    Default 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.
    Regards,
    Mrudul Godbole

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    Maybe we should have a signature collection drive online and send it to teh right ministries/officials?

    WildLife is our heritage. We must protect it.

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    Large animals such as elephants require clear and cold the water for the upkeep of its bulk and quite sadly monsters are not getting the water that is clean these days.

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