Eighty-one countries have either banned endosulfan or are in the process of banning it. As the fifth Conference of Parties (COP) of the Stockholm Convention meets in Geneva from April 25 to April 30 to decide the fate of the pesticide, India still remains in denial mode.
Kerala passes law on tribunal to secure compensation for victims of bottling plant. Just before the Kerala Assembly was dissolved for elections, the state’s Left Democratic Front government passed a law to secure compensation for people affected by Coca-Cola’s bottling operations at Plachimada in Palakkad district.
The energy drinks market in the country is worth Rs 200 crore and is growing unregulated and several studies confirm that energy drinks can be unsafe. But in India these drinks are labelled as proprietary food that has no prescribed standards. Read this special report in Down to Earth to find more.
The Karnataka government has banned use of pesticide endosulfan with immediate effect for a period of 60 days. The state Cabinet, chaired by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, announced the decision on February 17.
Like Kerala’s Kasaragod, neighbouring Dakshina Kannada is bearing the brunt of spraying of endosulfan. While Kasaragod grabbed media spotlight and Kerala banned the pesticide, victims in Karnataka are still struggling for recognition.
A survey done by Kerala government in October shows 2,210 people from 11 gram panchayats in Kasaragod are affected by endosulfan. But the muted figure did not go down well with activists fighting for endosulfan victims as the survey was done in three-four days and covered only a part of the district. Down To Earth reports on the endosulfan sufferers in Kerala still not recognised.
Kerala government has been pressing the Centre to impose a country-wide ban on endosulfan. But its own track reocrd hasn't been impressive. The ban on endosulfan in Kerala has proved ineffective and the pesticide is being smuggled in the state. A recent survey shows more children are falling victim, Down To Earth reports.
