This document discusses the pesticide endosulfan, including its health effects, use in India, and impact on the Kasaragod district of Kerala. It notes that endosulfan is highly toxic and was regularly sprayed in cashew plantations in Kasaragod from 1976 to 2001. This led to health disorders in humans and animals, especially affecting children with conditions like birth defects and neurological problems. Local communities protested its use and India eventually banned endosulfan in 2011 due to health and environmental concerns.

2. Introduction
One of agricultural poisons.
It is a neurotoxic- organochlorine insecticide and acaricide.
 it is an endocrine disruptor & highly toxic.
 Effective against a wide range of insects
Used as a pre-harvest insecticide. Also used on non- food
crops such as tobacoo & cotton.
In INDIA, Hindustan Insecticide Lmtd. is the producer of
Endosulfan. Sold under trade names – THIONEX, ENDOCIL,
PHASER, BENZOEPIN.

3. Endosulfan in different forms

4. Health effects
Nervous System : Hyperexcitability, tremors, and convulsions
and death
Reproductive System & Developmental effects: Puberty
delayed in boys. Infertility among men. Girls attain menarche
early. Menstrual disorders are frequent. Has estrogenic effects.
Birth defects in offspring of animals ingesting endosulfan during
pregnancy.
Skin effects: Farm workers with chronic endosulfan exposure are
at risk of rashes and skin irritation.
 Other Systemic Effects: Affects the kidneys & liver. It inhibits
leukocyte & macrophage migration. It damages RBC. It causes
mutations in mammals & may induce mutations. It is also a
potential tumor promoter.

6. Ground Situation in India
Invented in Germany and in use in global agriculture
for over 55 years.
 Used in India for over 40 years
Third largest selling generic insecticide worldwide
with global market in excess of 40 million liters valued
at over US$ 300 million.
India’s share in global Endosulfan market is over 70%.
The Indian market of Endosulfan is approximately 12
million liters valued at US$ 60 million .
Exports of Endosulfan from India is valued at US$ 40
million.

9. It was sprayed in the cashew plantations in
Kasaragod District sine 1976, till 2001 regularly
three times every year. The aerial spraying was
allegedly undertaken to contain the menace of
the tea mosquito bug.
Just after three years, the ill effects of Endosulfan
spraying came to notice. As early as 1979, stunted
growth and deformed limbs were noticed among
new born calves.

10. The ill-effects of endosulfan used in the
cashew plantations of Kasaragod Dist.

11. By 1990’s health disorders of very serious nature
among the human population came to the lime
light.
Children were found to be the worst affected with
congenital anomalies, mental retardation,
physical deformities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy,
hydrocephalus etc.
Men and women were also affected with various
chronic ailments, many irreversible and difficult
to treat. There is a high incidence of disorders of
the central nerves system, Cancer and
reproductive disorders.

12. Initiatives by the Community
From the mid of 1990’s, the community living
near plantations had been complaining against
the spraying of Endosulfan. Since then the
struggle of the local people have been going on in
the courts, in the corridors of power and
academies and in the streets.
The struggle got wide support from many within
and outside the country. The struggle in
Kasaragod became a forerunner for many
initiatives against endosulfan spraying and relief
measures to the victims.

13. Initiatives by the Government
Enquiry Commissions :
Govt. of Kerala and Govt. of India
had appointed 11 various commissions to inquire about
the issue. These enquiry reports some how finds that
pesticide Endosulfan is responsible for the horrendous
mutations and ailments that many in the villages of
Kasaragod district are suffering form.

14. Court Orders :
In 2003, the High Court of Kerala
upheld the order of lower court and it
permanently stopped Endosulfan spraying. Thus,
the Govt. of Kerala was forced to impose a ban on
it’s usage in 2004.It was a welcome relief for the
people of Kasaragod. Consequently, the Govt. of
India banned the sale and use of Endosulfan in
Kerala from 2005 onwards.

15. Agitations :
A massive movement was arouse as the part
of struggle in the streets at different stages. A march of
thousands of protesters was held on August 2004
demanding EndosulfanQuit – India infront of Kasaragod
District Collectorate.
The Kasaragod District Panchayath organised a march
infront of the Legislative Assemble of Kerala at
Thiruvananthapuram demanding to provide relief
measures to the victims.

16. Relief and Remedial Intiatives:
The Kasaragod District Panchayath,
the Govt. of Kerla, organised medical check up camps at
the affected villages and a super speciality referral
medical camp at district level and also supplied medicines
to the needy persons freely for last two years. It also
issued Health cards to more than 4600 victims identified
in the medical camps Also disability certificates were
issued to needy persons.

17. Chief Minister distributes relief to Endosulfan
victims

18. The pesticide was banned in the state of Kerala as
early as 2001 following a report by the National
Institute of Occupational Health.
Later, on a petition filed in the Supreme Court of
India, the production, storage, sale and use of the
pesticide was temporarily banned on 13 May 2011,
and later permanently by the end of 2011.
The pesticide has come under a global ban as a
conclusion from the Stockholm Convention, even
though experts say it will take another five years
to take effect.