ICTACT Journal on Management Studies

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Crop Diversification, Chemical Pollution and Endosulphan Tragedy of Kasaragod District in Kerala


Affiliations
1 Department of Economics, E.K. Nayanar Memorial Government College, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Kasaragod district in Kerala is basically an agro-based region and a major portion of the labour force is working in agriculture and related activities. The statistical data clearly revealed crop diversification. Diversification of crops and application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides heavily result in the depletion of nutrients of the soil and resulted in chemical pollution. There is wide difference in suggested and actual application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Endosulphan tragedy of the district is the worst case of environmental tragedy that Kerala ever experienced. This pesticide caused serious health hazard to the people including, cancer, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and locomotors. The economic backwardness of victims, low health infrastructure, high medical expenses, absence of proper identification of their needs, etc. demands special attention from authorities to the tragedy and is still a burning social issue.

Keywords

Crop Diversification, Chemical Pollution, Endosulphan Tragedy, Kasaragod.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Asha Embrandhiri, Rajeev P Sing, Hakkimi M Ibrahim and Anisha B Khan, “An Epidemiological Study on the Health Effects of Endosulphan Spraying on Cashew Plantations, Kasaragod district”, Asian Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 22-31, 2012.

  • Binu Kumar, Bhaskara Pillai, Saina Sunilkumar and Satheeshan Balasubtahmanyan, “A Descriptive Analysis of Cancer Cases from Endosulphan Affected Areas of Kasaragod District, Kerala”, Health sciences, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 7-8, 2012.

  • T.C. Chandrasekhar, “Agriculture-Fertilizer-Environment: Interface Some Policy Issues-India”, Agricultural Situation in India, Vol. 65, No. 4, pp. 217-222, 2008.

  • R.S. Deshpande, “Cropping System State of the Indian Farmer-A Millennium Study”, Crops and Cultivation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India and Academic Foundations, Vol. 9, pp. 103-159, 2000.

  • S.N. Goswami and O. Challa, “Indian Land Use Scenario: An Overview”, Agricultural Situation in India, Vol. 60, No. 12, pp. 783-805, 2004.

  • Monitoring Endosulphan Residues in the Panchayaths of Kasaragod District, Available at: http://www.cseindia.org/userfiles/endo_report1.pdf.

  • Economic Review- Government of Kerala, Available at: http://spb.kerala.gov.in/images/er/er14/index.html.

  • S. Jayadeven, M. Jayakumari and P.P. Venugopal, “Study on the Health Hazards Associated with Endosulphan Spray in Cashew Plantation in Kerala”, Epidemiology, Vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 565-566, 2005.

  • S.S. Johl, “Environmental Degradation and its Correctives in Agricultural Sector”, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 61, No. 4, pp. 601-610.2006.

  • N. Karunakaran, “Crop Diversification and Environmental Conflicts in Kasaragod District of Kerala”, Agricultural Economics Research Review, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 299-308, 2014.

  • N. Karunakaran, “Paddy Cultivation in Kerala: Trends, Determinants and Effects on Food Security”, Artha Journal of Social Science, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 21-35, 2014.

  • N. Karunakaran, “Crop Diversification for Sustainable Agriculture”, Pointer Publishers, 2015.

  • N. Karunakaran, “Crop Diversification and Chemical Pollution”, Archers and Elevators Publishing House, 2016.

  • M. Raja Sekhara Bapu and B. Sambasiva Rao, “Use of Chemical Fertilizers in Various Districts of Andhra Pradesh-A Study”, Agriculture in India-policy and Performance, pp. 173-178, 2003.

  • Srikumar Chattopadhyay, “Environmental Consequences of Rubber Plantations in Kerala”, Available at: http://cds.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/44_Srikumar.pdf

  • V.S. Vyas, “Diversification in Agriculture: Concept, Rationale and Approaches”, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 636-643, 1996.


Abstract Views: 267

PDF Views: 0




  • Crop Diversification, Chemical Pollution and Endosulphan Tragedy of Kasaragod District in Kerala

Abstract Views: 267  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

N. Karunakaran
Department of Economics, E.K. Nayanar Memorial Government College, India

Abstract


Kasaragod district in Kerala is basically an agro-based region and a major portion of the labour force is working in agriculture and related activities. The statistical data clearly revealed crop diversification. Diversification of crops and application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides heavily result in the depletion of nutrients of the soil and resulted in chemical pollution. There is wide difference in suggested and actual application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Endosulphan tragedy of the district is the worst case of environmental tragedy that Kerala ever experienced. This pesticide caused serious health hazard to the people including, cancer, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and locomotors. The economic backwardness of victims, low health infrastructure, high medical expenses, absence of proper identification of their needs, etc. demands special attention from authorities to the tragedy and is still a burning social issue.

Keywords


Crop Diversification, Chemical Pollution, Endosulphan Tragedy, Kasaragod.

References