All wetlands in India poisoned with pesticides’

A study conducted by the Salim Ali Foundation has found out that all wetlands in India are poisoned with pesticides, said Dr VS Vijayan, former chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

Offering felicitations at the release of the book ‘Paristhithiyude Varthamanam,’ by G Nirmala, editorial board member of ‘the Samakalika Malayalam Weekly’, here on Saturday, Vijayan said  the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India functions as an autocratic body that controls the plight of the farmers.

The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI), without consulting the farmers, Department of Agriculture, Forest Department or any other authorised bodies, are trying to impose certain laws those will curb the freedom of the people even to react against the pesticide manufacturers, said  Vijayan.

Speaking on the autocratic rule of BRAI, Vijayan said that all state governments would lose their right to control or monitor the use of pesticide or say no to GM crops if the Bill get passed in the Parliament.

Vijayan said the Bill, in its present form, even restricts the individual’s freedom to protest against the Bill and the introduction of GM crops.

He criticised the attempt to introduce the Seed Bill, which according to Vijayan, restricts the freedom of the farmers to chose the seed of his choice.“The farmers will not be permitted to use their seed for farming once the Bill becomes law, instead the multinational companies from America will decide the seed variety for the farmers, he added.

Leelakumariyamma released the book by handing over a copy to environmentalist Kallel Pokkudan.E Kunhikrishnan and PB Lalkar, Deputy Editor of Mathrubhumi were present.