The extensive spraying of endosulfan, an insecticide, has caused 200 cancer deaths in Kasargode in Kerala in the past eight years. The number of people suffering from endosulfan poisoning in the six villages of Kerala has gone up to 2,210.
Isn't it shocking?
You will be further surprised when I will tell you that the Kerala government had imposed a ban on the use of this chemical in 2005 but the poor villagers continue to suffer as it is being smuggled into the state.
Endosulfan acts as an endocrine disruptor, causing both reproductive and development damage in humans. It also causes cancer and deformities in neo-natal babies.
This insecticide is very popular among farmers because of its effectiveness. India is the world’s largest consumer of this insecticide.
The government is doing nothing to stop the use of this harmful chemical even after the disastrous effect it has on these villagers.
To make the situation worse, India opposed the ban of this insecticide at the Stockholm Convention of the Persistent Organic Review Committee in Geneva last month.
The Department of Agriculuture said that several committees had reviewed the experience with endosulfan and had experienced that its use could be continued.
But the endosulfan activists and the villagers strongly believe that its use has made their lives dismal.
I strongly feel that any profit which is at the cost of people's lives is of no use or celebration. The government should ban the use of this insecticide and help improve the living conditions of these villagers.
The government should realize that it is the prime and foremost duty of every country to protect the lives of its citizens and all profits or development plans come later.
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