Editorial
Pesticide poisoning proving lethal
High time we put a brake on its indiscriminate application
Thanks to the investigation of a committee formed by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) under the health ministry, we come to know how the excessive use of pesticides has been taking a toll of human and animal lives in our villages. People are falling sick, thick and fast, without any clue as to why the indisposition! What is patently risky is the vulnerability of children whose immunity to disease remains undeveloped.
Although the findings relate to two villages in Dhamrai upazila, the incidence of toxic poisoning must have been widespread as we have it on the watch of director, IEDCR that 'it's happening in other parts of the country as well'. The Dhamrai eye-opener appears to be a chance revelation; but for the 'mysterious deaths', no investigation would have been initiated and facts revealed.
This brings us to the question as to whether any authority remains designated to be monitoring the use of pesticides across the length and breadth of the country. Is there any mechanism for regular oversight once the farmers have sprayed or applied insecticides afield? The agriculture officials or extension workers are supposed to be keeping an eye on it. But do they?
There are clear parameters of pesticide use that can neither be overlooked nor short-circuited except to the peril of land, crop and human and animal lives. For instance, certain pesticides are tabooed because of having already proven hazardous; there are recommended doses and the requirement of phase-by-phase application. The farmers will have to be made thoroughly conversant with the rules of insecticide application. Simultaneously, a sustained awareness campaign will have to be launched at the grassroots level to sensitise the farming households about the dangers of unscientific use of insecticides. Since several high-risk pesticides are in use, the farmers must also be instructed to report any unusual physical symptoms they might have observed to local public representatives. The media, both electronic and print, may be pressed into service in highlighting the concerns.
But basically it seems that a survey will have to be carried out to identify and weed out the dangerous pesticides from amongst a whole mass of them that have been in use over the long haul.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments