ENDOSULFAN BAN--RELIEF IN KASARAGOD

                 ENDOSULFAN BAN-- RELIEF IN KASARAGOD

   Kasaragod, the district worst affected by Endosulfan, treated the news of the pesticide's global ban with much glee and relief. The people in the Kasaragod district distributed sweets on bearing about the pesticide ban.
India was not in favour of a ban initially. India had obtained exemption for 16 crops. So Endosulfan could be used for those crops in India for next 10 years. What is the use of this global ban? any way  it is a welcome news from Geneva.
    Mr Narayana Periya, chairman of the Anti-Endosulfan Campaign Committee, which had been spearheading the agitation against the pesticide since 2003. Hundreds of people died and many continue to lead miserable lives in 11 Grama Panchayats in the district, allegedly due to the ill effects of aerial spraying of Endosulfan  on the cashew estates of the plantation corporation of Kerala. He  congratulated relentless efforts by several organisation and individuals . Kerala Sashtra Sahithya Parishad,Kerala Kavya Kal Sahithy and other environmental organisation had helped to focus the worlds attention on the victims plight.
 A pivotal role played by retired Agriculture Department employee Leelakumari Amma who moved the local court, with the case of her ailing brother, against the PCK in 1997. PCK challenged the verdict,but the Kerala High Court on August 12,2002 ,ordered the state government to ban the aerial spraying.

Prof John Kurakar &Dr K.C Raju

  Another milestone in the struggle was a secretariat march taken out  by a group Endosulfan victims in December 2005. The LDF government announced Rs 50000 for the families of 133 victims who died due to problems related to the pesticide. Many families were yet to be compensated.
k   One day fast strike by Chief Minister of Kerala and Endosulfan Hartal and other activities of so many organizations and political parties were helped to focus to the worlds attention on the pain of the victims and helped to the global ban.
    Continuing agitation is necessary for the total elimination of Endosulfan from the world. The BJP state unit announced that it would launch agitation for total elimination of the harmful pesticide from India. In Geneva convention India had obtained exemption for 16 crops. So Endosulfan  could be used for those crops in India for next 10 years. the B..J.P would organize a people's protest against Endosulfan in Thiruvananthapuram on May3.

                                                                                           Prof. John Kurakar