Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Nov 25: Recent reports published in newspapers, claiming that soil and water samples collected from a cashew plantation in Minchinapadavu, near the Karnataka-Kerala border, tested negative for endosulfan contamination, have come under fire for allegedly misleading the public.
Dr. Ravindranath Shanbhag, president of the Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi, has criticised these reports, calling them an attempt to divert attention from the core issue.
Speaking at a press meet held at Vaikunta Baliga College of Law (VBCL) on Monday, November 25, Dr. Shanbhag said, “The primary concern raised before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was not whether endosulfan traces were found in the soil and water. The complaint was about verifying claims made by Achyuta Maniyani, a retired employee of the Kerala Plantation Corporation, who alleged in 2013 that around 600 litres of endosulfan were illegally and unscientifically buried in a defunct well in Minchinapadavu in 2011.”
He stressed that the issue requires the excavation of the well, where the chemicals are allegedly buried beneath 30 feet of soil, rather than testing superficial soil and water samples.
Endosulfan, a highly toxic pesticide, was aerially sprayed over cashew plantations in Karnataka and Kerala for two decades starting in the 1980s. The prolonged exposure led to severe health issues, including birth defects and disabilities, in over 12,000 children in the region. Following a petition filed by the Human Rights Protection Foundation and others, the Supreme Court banned the use and sale of endosulfan across India on May 13, 2011. The court also directed the scientific disposal of remaining stockpiles.
Efforts to scientifically dispose of the pesticide stockpile in the Kerala Plantation Corporation’s warehouses were halted due to local protests. In subsequent years, the whereabouts of the remaining stockpile remained undisclosed, raising suspicions of illegal disposal.
In 2013, Achyuta Maniyani revealed that unused endosulfan from Kerala was illegally dumped in a plantation well in Minchinapadavu. Despite repeated representations to the district administration over the past decade, no substantive action has been taken. Dr Shanbhag’s petition to the NGT sought an investigation and removal of the pesticide containers allegedly buried in the well.
Dr. Shanbhag criticised the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for issuing reports based on surface-level soil and water samples, which he believes is an attempt to deflect attention from the main issue. “The event occurred 12 years ago. Given the region’s heavy annual rainfall of 300-400 cm in the Western Ghats, it is evident that water-soluble pesticides like endosulfan would not remain in the topsoil or water after such a long period. Even schoolchildren can understand this,” he remarked.
Dr. Shanbhag further alleged that the CPCB’s report was released to the media before being submitted to the NGT, thus denying the complainant an opportunity to review or respond. He argued that this is both procedurally inappropriate and misleading.
If endosulfan canisters remain buried, the chemical may transform into more toxic compounds, like endosulfan sulfate, which is not only more hazardous but also has a longer lifespan in the soil. Dr Shanbhag highlighted that the CPCB itself acknowledged this risk in a prior court submission.
Despite reports and statements from officials, including a 2011 statement by then-assistant commissioner K V Rajendra, who described the alleged dumping as a “potential time bomb,” no action has been taken.
Karnataka's Legal Services Authority, chaired by Justice K N Phaneendra, also stressed the need for immediate removal of the buried pesticide in a meeting held in January 2022. However, Kerala’s authorities have not responded to Karnataka’s appeals for cooperative action.
Dr. Shanbhag announced that these issues would be brought before the NGT during the next hearing scheduled for December 2. “The CPCB’s report does not address the essence of our complaint. We will ensure that the truth about the illegal disposal of endosulfan is brought to light,” he asserted.
Secretary Anil, Advocate Anurag, and students of VBCL were present during the press conference.