Endosulfan was indicted by several committees as the dissent over the use of the pesticide grew louder. Kerala banned the pesticide in 2005. Karnataka banned the pesticide in Februray 2011.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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The ban is welcome as endosulfan being sold, used or produced anywhere in the country will now be illegal. The Supreme Court judgement vindicates the victims.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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Saliths sister Mobina (1 year) too is unable to sit or stand on her own. They never laugh, says their mother. They are in too much pain. They were born much after the aerial spraying stopped and endosulfan was banned in the state. Endosulfan is a genotoxic- it affects the genes and it has affected the second generation.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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Santosh Menzes (20 years) of Kokada village, Dakshin Kanada, Karnataka is bedridden and immobile with twisted limbs. His mother was pregnant with him during the spraying season. His treatment stopped 4 years ago due to paucity of funds. He cannot talk but he grunts at the mention of cricket- He loves to watch cricket and his favourite is Virendra Sehwag.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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The Supreme Court on May 13, 2011 announced that the use, sale, production and export of Endosulfan should be banned across the country. Though the ban is for eight weeks, till such time that the joint committee of ICMR - Agriculture Commissioner comes out with a report on the health impacts of endosulfan, it has brought a sense of relief and victory to the victims of endosulfan, especially in Kasaragod and Dakshin Kanada.
The impact of endosulfan is not just exclusive to Kasaragod and Dakshin Kanada.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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Sujith (25)of Bovikanam village, Kasaragod has severe case of psoriais (skin problems). His younger brother 21 year old Manikantan too has skin problems. They have lived within the plantation area. He doesn't get a handicap pension nor has he been listed as a victim of endosulfan. His treatment has now stopped because the family has no funds. They have resigned to the fact that they were children of endosulfan. Though shy to meet other children, the brothers spend some time with each other playing football.
The two districts, Kasaragod and Dakshin Kanada, witnessed aerial spraying over cashew plantations for over 20 years. Incidents of congenital deformities, mental and physical retardation, cancer and gynaecological problems are common in these parts.
Photograph by: Ruhani Kaur
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Similar health impacts are becoming more and more visible among children born in Kerala's Palakad district, known for its mango cultivation.
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Parents have lost their children to congenital deformities and all that is left of them are a few photographs. Marriage proposals for women in the endosulfan affected villages is hard to come by, some have been left by their husbands for fear that their children would not be healthy.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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With no other source of pollution, the health impacts were attributed to the aerial spraying of endosulfan. Studies have linked health problems to the endosulfan.
Photograph by: Sopan Joshi
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Though banned in Kerala, endosulfan was being smuggled into the state from across the Tamil Nadu border.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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But the impact of the pesticide has moved to the next generation. Mohammed Salith (4 years) can barely sit without a support.
Photograph by: Savvy Soumya Misra
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