Kerala   

Endosulfan study on in Perambra

KOZHIKODE: The Health Department in the district will submit a detailed report to the State government after completing its door-to-door survey in Perambra and surrounding locations to identify persons claimed to be affected by spraying of the pesticide endosulfan.

The survey, started in November 2010, has already covered around 1,700 households in the region. The remaining 2,000 houses will be covered in the coming months.

District Medical Officer P.K. Mohanan said that the Health Department, through the survey, had so far identified 15 persons suffering from various physical and mental disabilities. “But, none of these cases were found to have any close association with the spraying of endosulfan,” he said.

According to Dr. Mohanan, the Health Department would be able to find out the cause of these ailments only after completing the survey. “If more persons suffering from similar disabilities are identified, it will certainly be a matter of concern,” he said.

Dr. Mohanan said it was in 2004 that the endosulfan was sprayed in some locations coming under the control of the Kerala Plantation Corporation. “But, no scientific reports have confirmed that it had affected the people of the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran visited some of the locations in Chakkittappara panchayat in Perambra on Friday where the number of endosulfan victims were claimed to be high. Addressing presspersons after the visit, Mr. Ramachandran said government-level initiatives would be taken to delegate a group of scientists to study the issue in detail.

He said that a rehabilitation package, similar to the one given to endosulfan victims in Kasaragod, would be offered to those affected in Perambra if the study proved the claim. Mr. Ramachandran also announced Rs.10 lakh from his MP fund to set up a Buds school in Chakkittappara panchayat for the education of children suffering from mental and physical disabilities.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Mileage out of partnership meets
Message for youth
Protest against diesel price hike
Plea to set up medical college in Kasaragod
Probe into human trafficking at Cochin airport
Endosulfan study on in Perambra
Oath against drug abuse
Punishing weather gods
NSS plans rest house at Guruvayur
Leadership change at NSS
An honest portrayal of a man's struggles within
Plea to officials
NSS accuses UDF of minority appeasement
Sports lovers in State may miss live action

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu