Endosulfan not responsible for problems in Kasargod

Tuesday, August 02, 2011: The Central Government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the endosulfan is not the reason for the problems in Kasargod and there is no need to impose an immediate ban on the pesticide.

In the affidavit submitted by Vandana Jain for union agricultural ministry, it stated that aerial spraying of endosulfan through helicopter without permission caused the problems. It also said that the pesticide was banned in countries with less farming and in others; the ban was imposed only on the basis of doubts. Needed is to reduce the use of endosulfan in the coming 11 years and there is no need for an immediate ban.

The affidavit also pointed out that the studies conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006 also gave clean chit to the pesticide. The Apex Court was considering a petition filed by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), a youth wing of CPM seeking an immediate ban on the use and production of endosulfan pesticide in the country.