New Delhi, November 18th, 2010

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that aerial spraying of Endosulfan, an insecticide banned in Kerala since 2005 continues to be used even now. This is leading poor villagers of northern Kasargod to various diseases. The pesticide allegedly attacks even the neo-natal babies. The report also alleged that India is the world's largest consumer of Endosulfan at a time when even less advanced countries banned it long ago.

The report referred to a random survey conducted jointly last week by the Kerala Health and Agriculture Department, wherein 2210 victims of Endosulfan poisoning were found in the six worst affected villages in Kerala.

The Commission on the 18th November, 2010 observed that the contents of the report, if true, raise serious issue of human rights violation of the people and issued notices to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India and the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala. The Commission has given four weeks time for their response to its notice.

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