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Rehabilitation of Endosulfan Victims
Proposal for Rehabilitation of Endosulfan Affected People of Kerala.
Endosulfan is a Persistent Organic Pesticide, once manufactured in India through Hindustan Insecticides Limited and some other companies. The production of this pesticide is banned after the decision of COP in Stockholm convention. A historical blunder was committed by the Plantation Corporation of Kerala by spraying Endosulfan pesticide using helicopter on the canopy of vast stretch of cashew plantations in Kasaragod District for about two decades since 1970s.
Key Points
- The aftereffect was disastrous. Even after twenty-four years since the stoppage of this pesticide application, thousands of innocent villagers in fifteen villages of the district are still struggling for life by congenital birth defects, reproductive health problems, cancers, loss of immunity, and neurological & mental problems.
- Added to this, they are facing several social problems including the right to education, social distancing, negligence, and lack of medical care and social security. Needless to say, this is a typical example of state-sponsored human rights violation continuing even now in Kerala.
- Several rescue and rehabilitation measures were taken up in these villages by the Governments in the past. The Honourable Supreme Court has passed an order for the distribution of compensation up to five lakhs rupees to each victim. But still, the plight of the villagers is persisting.
- Unfortunately, the State Government is not in a position to address the issue in the required manner. It is submitted that a holistic approach is required to address the issue instead of providing medical attention exclusively to the affected victims alone. A sincere social engineering effort inside the affected villages under Government sponsorship is the need of the hour.
- Therefore, it is submitted that the Central Government may come forward to adopt the Endosulfan-affected villages of Kerala under a special scheme for at least the next twenty-five years (up to 2047). The scheme can be named as Rehabilitation of Endosulfan Affected People of Kerala (REAP Kerala).
- Three villages in Palakkad and Idukki District affected by Endosulfan can also be included in this scheme. REAP Kerala can be implemented under the guidance and monitoring of the Central University of Kerala, situated in Kasaragod District, with the assistance of the State Government and suitable NGOs.
Rehabilitation of Endosulfan Victims
Proposal for Rehabilitation of Endosulfan Affected People of Kerala
REEP FOUNDATION