Jammu, Jan 19 (KNS): “We The Human”-Forum for Nature and Mankind has expressed deep concern over non seriousness of authorities in reviewing use and effects of highly hazardous toxic chemical pesticides, insecticides and herbicides being used by agriculturists and horticulturists of the state.
This is pertinent that the Government of Punjab Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare vide No. 15/5/16-Agri2(6)/ 1670 Dt. Chandigarh: 30/01/2018 imposed ban on sale of 20 insecticides which have harmful affect on the human-beings and environmental sustainability/ economic viability. These included Endosulfan, Chlrofenapyr, Phosphamidon, Tricholorofon, Methomyl, Phorate, Trizophos, Monocrotophos and others.
Similarly, as per a statement issued by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations Punjab India on October 24 2018, this is communicated that the Punjab Government has banned sale of Glyphosate in the State.
M. Sadiq Nargal Senior Sientiest and Food Technologist said that the Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) GoI has recommended use of Glyphosate highly hazardous herbicide only for tea gardens and non cropped areas. But it is observed that this herbicide, in different brands, is used as a routine practice by agricultural farmers especially in Jammu belt to clear the weed from their agricultural fields, at large. This is all happening under the nose of enforcement agencies.
He further informef that it is duty of every state to review/ study use and effects of highly hazardous pesticides, insecticides, herbicides on health of farmers using these chemicals in the fields, family members of agriculturists, neighborourers, soil, water and environment in view of International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management Guidelines on Highly Hazardous Pesticides by the FAO of UN and the World Health Organisation Rome 2016.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
In 2015, the SAICM International Conference on Chemicals Management adopted a resolution that recognized HHPs as an issue of concern and called for concerted action to address HHPs, with emphasis on promoting agro- ecologically based alternatives and strengthening national regulatory capacity to conduct risk assessment and risk management.
S. Prem Singh Spokesman of the trust said that Satya Pal Malik the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir has proven to be a great administrator, with empathy and kindness for common masses. He is taking up excellent steps, silently, to ameliorate sufferings of common people.
"We The Human" is really hopeful that he would take some concrete steps to address the chronic malpractices, existing in our state viz., Excessive and unscheduled sprays of highly hazardous toxic chemical pesticides/ insecticides/ herbicides/ colours/ termite killers on Agricultural/ Horticulture crops, use of banned plastic polythene in all major markets and use of low grade soft plastic cups, plastic glasses and plastic polythene for packing of hot tea, milk and chickpeas by snacks vendors, use of hazardous polypropylene plastics, wax coated thermocol cups/ glasses, open burning of plastics and other garbage in dumping sites etc. “We The Human” has already submitted written memorandums, along with supporting documents, to the Governor and the Chief Secretary of the state. (KNS)