Showing posts with label Endosulfan kerala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Endosulfan kerala. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

endosulfan and media inaccuracy in reporting


Press Trust of India (PTI) has filed a story today titled “No objection to Karnataka endosulfan ban: Pawar” which is widely covered across websites and heatedly debated on twitter. The headline of the story seems to suggest that Union Agriculture Minster Mr. Sharad Pawar has condoned the embargo on usage of endosulfan in the state announced by the Government of Karnataka on February 17 2011. [Deccan Chronicle story]

For a student of media, this is a classic example of how ‘the pen is mightier than the sword‘when it comes to shaping public perception.

In the PTI story, the journalist mentions that
The Karnataka cabinet last week decided to ban use of endosulfan for a period of six months.
The fact is revealed in the statement by a member of Karnataka Government Cabinet –
 “It is a temporary ban for 60 days. Of course, we have appealed to the Centre for a permanent ban as early as possible,” minister for higher education V.S. Acharya said here on Thursday.
How “60 days temporary ban” becomes “ban use for six months” is a shocking display of misinformed reporting on behalf of PTI.

Further on, if you read the statements made by Mr. Sharad Pawar in the budget parliamentary session replying to supplementary questions, they are largely in favor of usage of endosulfan.
“..farmers in a number of states have said they have no problem in using endosulfan as it was giving good results.
Pawar said the government had set up four expert committees since 1991 and each one of them had recommended continued use of endosulfan.

To a question on ban in several countries on use of endosulfan, Pawar said the pesticide was being used in at least 40 countries, including Brazil, Australia and China.

The story does mention that Pawar said farmers have been advised against spraying of endosulfan on crops, particularly cashew-nut plantations. This is very strategically given as a concluding statement. But if you read the first half of the story –

However, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar attributed the disastrous consequences of the pesticide to aerial spraying of endosulfan which was against the guidelines.

So, ‘aerial spraying’ firstly, was not a standard operating procedure as a part of the guideline on endosulfan usage. Secondly, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to prove that the alleged victims in Kerala, Kasargod or Dakshin Karnataka are due to endosulfan usage, as admitted by Union Minister of Environment Mr. Jairam Ramesh in November 2010 -  [DNA: Ban on Endosulfan will have national implications: Jairam Ramesh - Story link]

Ramesh said that he has sought a proper epidemiological study and has asked the ministry for the cause of the death in the district. "We will look into all factors," he said.

This reeks of a concerted activity to misguide people, a misrepresentation of facts by the media or a genuine error by the journalist or desk editor at PTI.

Note: The Karnataka embargo on usage of endosulfan in the state is being appealed in the High Court by manufacturers of the product [Link]

Friday, January 7, 2011

Endosulfan pesticide victims: Different figures, Similar lies?


ENDOSULFAN VICTIMS : HOW MANY ARE THERE REALLY?

For quite some time, we have been reading some interestingly absurd stuff about the curious case of Endosulfan.  All the claims vested groups do not tally at all with the others.  The other surprise, there is no credible source mentioned for any of these figures. Neither is there any sort of proof, which states that Endosulfan is harmful and causes deformities.

Voice of Keralam, a seeker of underlying truth in the blinding noise, compares number of endosulfan victims as mentioned in the public domain. Following are actual reports of endosulfan victims as mentioned by various media reports and other sources. How can there be such a wide discrepancy in alleged number of endosulfan victims.  

Daily News & Analysis DNA:
Scammed in the name of economic growth and science
Thursday, December 23, 2010 

DNA reports endosulfan pesticide victims at 1000 death

Alleged Endosulfan pesticide victims:
•    1000 killed, 10000 suffering from deformities and disorders in Kerala
•    Source quoted in the story: None
•    Location:  Kerala


Economic Times
Kerala endosulfan victims allege 'state terrorism'
23 NOV, 2010 

ET story reports Endosulfan pesticide victims at 500 deaths



  Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
•    500 Killed, 8000-9000 affected
•    Source quoted in the story: Anti-Endosulfan Committee, Kasargod, Kerala
•    Location: Kasargod, Kerala




The Hindu

2,836 Endosulfan victims identified

December 29, 2010

The Hindu reports endosulfan victims at 2836 affected


Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
  • 2,836 in 11 panchayats of Kasargod (does not comment on casualties or deformities)   
  • Source quoted in the story: Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan in Kerala assembly
  • Location: Kasargod, Kerala 


Pesticide Action Network (PANNA)
An International NGO, anti-pesticides, working in Kerala to help alleged endosulfan victims Another cluster of endosulfan-induced illness in India
Mon, 2011-01-03

PANNA reports endosulfan victims at 46
and hundreds more

 Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
  • 46 officially reported, but NGOs suspect there are hundreds more  
  • 174 families affected as per researchers
  • Source quoted in the story: researchers, official estimate, NGOs
  • Location: Kasargod, Kerala


Business Standard
Endosulfan use continues as government fails to enforce ban
December 1, 2010

Business Standard story reports endosulfan victims
as 150 deaths
 Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
  • 150 deaths & 5000 people affected in Kasargod district, Kerala    
  • 27 affected in Idduki district, Tamil Nadu  
  • Source quoted in the story: Unofficial estimates
  • Location: Kasargod, Kerala. Idduki district, Tamil Nadu  

  The Daily Pioneer:
Kerala package for Endosulfan victims
 January 07, 2011

The Daily Pioneer reports endosulfan pesticide
victims as 500 deaths


Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
  • 500 deaths
  • 2836 affected  
  • Source quoted in the story: Kerala government  
  • Location: Kasargod, Kerala
 
 The Deccan Herald
Kerala Govt unveils relief package for endosulfan victims
November 23, 2010


The Deccan Herald reports endosulfan pesticide
victims as 486 deaths
Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
  • 486 deaths
  • Source quoted in the story: Kerala Government 
  • Location: Kasargod, Kerala


The Hindu
Compensation promised to Endosulfan victims
Wednesday, Nov 10, 2010



The Hindu reported endosulfan victims
as 300 in Nov 2010



Alleged endosulfan pesticide victims:
  • 300 deaths, of which 176 were compensated
  • Source quoted in the story: Kerala Government 
  • Location: Kasargod, Kerala  

These findings lead us to ask only one question, what the actual number is of alleged “endosulfan pesticide victims” in Kasargod, Kerala. There seems to be some kind of confusion in the esteemed minds of leading   media houses on the factual numbers in this case.

Some may say, that as time has gone by, more victims have been identified or the government numbers are on the conservative side or higher side depending how you may choose to see it. But, here’s the real deal, the citizens of India deserve to know the truth. And truth cannot be based on hearsay, unofficial estimates, researchers, concerned NGOs, and the likes. Let the truth be told by scientific bodies and people who understand the implications of such an issue rather then every armchair critic looking to have a say, just for the sake of being heard.

The Indian citizen is vigilant and cognizant to the fact that he or she has been hoodwinked before by the same vested interests masquerading as “concerned parties” to promote their own agenda.

Let truth prevail! Satyameva Jayate!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Endosulfan usage in India: map with statistics

Endosulfan usage in India as per survey conducted in the year 2007


Voice of Keralam has obtained a copy of a map which shows Endosulfan usage distribution in India in the year 2007.

As observed in the map, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and part of West Bengal use more than 1000 kilolitres of Endosulfan. Also, states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana amongst others use 500-100 Kilolitres of Endosulfan. 
 
This clearly shows Endosulfan usage in India is spread across various geographical areas of the country. However, the victims reported have been largely in the state of Kerala, which has virtually no Endosulfan usage across the state. This leaves a lot unanswered in term of the current debate on the insecticide and poses difficult questions to those who have called for a blanket ban of the molecule across the country and the world. 

What do you feel about these findings?  Do you think there is more to the “endosulfan poising’ story in India?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Endosulfan poisoning: The other side of the story

The controversial pesticide Endosulfan, which is allegedly the cause for diseases and deformity is being widely debated online. While a lot needs to be understood about the subject, in terms of scientific facts and rationale, armchair critics have found a convenient way to rile up the masses based on media reports on the issue.

To every story, there is always an other side, which Voice Of  Keralam hopes to bring to the forefront, so people can take an objective decision before making any judgment based on popular opinion.

During such a quest to unearth the truth and alternate voices in the system we came across the following revelation, which was quite shocking to us. Please observe the screen-grabs from Google Search Index to see for yourself.


Google search for Endosulfan workers rally in Bhavnagar held on November 17, 2010 in Gujarat. You can see the Manorama Online story featured on page one of search results. 
Stories on Endosulfan workers from Bhavnagar demanding a withdrawal of the 'fraudulent' NIOH report can be seen here [Link
 
When you click on the link to Manorama Online to view the story, the following 'error' is displayed.


The screen reads "we are sorry the page you are currently viewing is unavailable due to technical problems"

And, here's the original screen-grab of the story retrieved from Google cache pages 

  The actual story  as posted on Manorama Online about the Bhavnagar Rally help in Gujarat to oppose ban of Endosulfan and demand withdrawal of NOIH report. 

Why an esteemed newspaper like Manorama Online which is held in high esteem across the world for its news content and objective journalism, feel the need to specifically remove a story from their online edition, is anybody's educated guess! 

May be it truly is a technical error, so one would like to believe...  



                 

     

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Endosulfan ban aimed to destroy India exports

In a story filed by United News India (UNI) today, December 23 2010, there is further corroboration of the fact that there are vested interests involved. Till now we have been wondering what could be the true motive to hoodwink the Indian public in spreading such mass hysteria and dogma that a molecule which has been in use for the last 50 years in the country has come under immense cross fire from all sections of the society.

The truth about Endosulfan backed by
scientific data must be revealed.
The true story and ulterior motive, as it always is, is money. European pesticide manufacturers in collusion with certain groups in European Union have taken this initiative with the agenda to dent India's chemical industry. The trade implications are tremendous, if seen in a global context.



European Union lobby groups involved
in calling for a ban on Endosulfan
...the European Union (EU) lobby wanted its elimination to destroy 70 per cent of the world exports of the product from India...arguments put forward by an international committee for imposing the ban was not based on scientific evidence, but by the brute display of voting power by the members...



Imagine, such an important decision for India, is proposed to be taken through a vote amongst members who do not even use, manufacture or are involved in the trade of Endosulfan rather than through consensus of all members. This is an example of economic imperialism agenda which western forces try to impose on the world. In a oligopoly, the new world order still reeks of a post World War hangover.

...on the basis of submissions made by EU, the Chemical Review Committee of Persistent Organic Pollutant had recommended Endosulfan for listing as a (POP) which is based on voting, rather than on scientific data...
In the time to come, we expect more on information on this front and we will ensure we seek the truth. We are sure anyone reading this blog post, if not convinced about the inherent duality of EU, is inspired enough to read both sides of the story.

ലോങ്ങ്‌ ലൈവ് കേരള!    

H./T: NewKerala.com : Ban on 'Endosulfan' aimed at destroying India's exports

Full text of the story:

Endosulfan ban aimed to destroy India exports 
New Delhi, Dec 22: The insecticide industry was today up in arms against banning of Endosulfan, an input used in agriculture production, saying the European Union (EU) lobby wanted its elimination to destroy 70 per cent of the world exports of the product from India.

The industry was of the view that arguments put forward by an international committee for imposing the ban was not based on scientific evidence, but by the brute display of voting power by the members.

The manufacturers, who came under one umbrella, dared the committee to bring forth scientific data, justifying its proposed ban.

They said that they would be willing to swallow the bullet if it was proved on the basis of imperical evidence that it causes dreaded diseases like cancer.

At a joint press conference here, representatives of Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI), Endosulfan Manufacturers and Formulators Association (EMFA) and International Stewardship Centre (ISC), argued that the EU has alternate products which it can bring into use as an insectide, but India will be at complete loss if the ban is effected.

Talking to reporters here, ISC chairman R Hariharan said on the basis of submissions made by EU, the Chemical Review Committee of Persistent Organic Pollutant had recommended Endosulfan for listing as a (POP) which is based on voting, rather than on scientific data.

Several countries, including India and China have strongly opposed the decision which has been taken by voting, and favoured decision making by consensus.

Though the Stockholm Convention is yet to take a final decision on the recommendaton on Endosulfan in April 2011, Mr Hariharan said a number of countries announced a ban or a phase out of the product over a 3 to 5 year period.

''Based on these recommendations, over 60 countries have joined the EU call for a ban on endosulfan,'' the chairman said.

The 60 countries include 27 EU member states and 21 countries in Africa.

Strangely none of the independent regulatory actions in many of these countries have been based on incidences of adverse human health in any of these countries, he said.

He said the EU manfuacturers, which hold nearly 60 per cent of world's exports of chemicals, intends to maintain its control over chemicals which are the second largest traded merchandise in the world, next only to fuels.

India's share in the global Endosulfan market is over 70 per cent, Mr Hariharan said.

The European manufacturers, whose exports share of Endosulfan is declining, have decided to stop selling the product by the end of this year.

Speaking on the occasion, PMFAI president Pradip Dave said thousands of farmers using Endosulfan have not had any issues relating to human health.

Currently, the Indian market of Endosulfan is about 12 million litres annually valued at Rs 270 crore.

In India, there are three manufacturers of Endosulfan, including Hindustan Insecticides Ltd.

At present, the overall Indian agrochemical market stands at Rs 5,200 crore and Endosulfan Rs 300 crore.
--UNI

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Vested interests demand Endosulfan ban: PMFAI

Vested interests in demanding ban on endosulfan: PMFAI
We observed this update from Press Trust of India (PTI) today on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. Voice of Keralam has been a staunch supporter of farmers and workers in India. The recent Endosulfan controversy and public calls to ban Endosulfan, an immensely useful insecticide did not go down well with us, after we looked into the real scientific facts and data. This story validates that Voice of Keralam is the true voice of the people of God's own country. We will continue to watch development on Endosulfan as they unfold and ensure that the truth is presented in its originality from all sides, to give cut through the noise and bring you the reality.       
   

New Delhi: Domestic pesticide makers today said that the demand for banning endosulfan pesticide in India is being driven by vested interests of Multinational firms.

"The demand for banning Endosulfan in India, is motivated by the vested interest of European pesticide makers, who are interested in promoting their patented products in the country," Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) President Pradeep Dave told reporters here.

European companies, which have vested business interests are lobbying for imposing an international ban on endosulfan as the ban would create a market for their products in the third world countries, he said.

Endosulfan Workers oppose ban.
Endosulfan is being used for the last 50 years
in India with no negative health effects.
The replacement pesticide will be at least
10 times costlier than Endosulfan. 
Dave added that endosulfan is being used in the country for the last 50 years and there has been no such scientific records available, which indicate that the use of this chemical has resulted into serious health hazards of any kind.

International Stewardship Centre, an NGO working for chemical industry, said that replacing endosulfan with any other chemical would be at least 10 times costlier for the Indian farmers.

"A litre of endosulfan costs Rs 250 to Indian farmers whereas any chemical manufactured by multinational would cost more than Rs 2,500 per litre thus making the use of pesticides 10 times costlier," International Stewardship Centre Chairman R Hariharan said.

He said that India is the largest producer, user and exporter of endosulfan. The total market in India for the pesticide is around USD 60 million and the country exports around another USD 40 million worth endosulfan

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)