INNOCENT VICTIMS

Intensive use of hazardous pesticide has led to the death of thousands of sparrows who fed on dead insects from the vegetable fields in Dakatia village situated in Jessore district on the western border region of Bangladesh. Although the land is not suitable for rice cultivation, vegetables like brinjals, pointed gourd, beans, pumpkin, raddish, carrot, cauliflower and cabbage are grown extensively. The use of pesticides is also extensive. Moreover, since the village is on the border with India, several pesticides are smuggled in from the neighbouring country. Ustad, Thidin and Methodrin are some of the hazardous pesticides smuggled in across the border. Reportedly, the brinjal and pointed gourd fields from where the sparrows had eaten insects and died, had been sprayed with Ustad.