Hyderabad: Expressing concerns over excessive use of paraquat and loss of lives due to poisoning, high court has directed the Centre and state govts, and the departments concerned, to state their position on banning the use of the pesticide in the state.A division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin on Thursday issued the directions while hearing a PIL on the basis of a letter to the CJ, which alleged that every year over 200 people die in the state due to paraquat poisoning.
The bench also issued notices to the Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC), Hyderabad, and posted the matter to be listed after three weeks.In the letter, it was urged that a ban be imposed on the manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of paraquat pesticide in the state, and that public awareness be raised through campaigns highlighting the dangers of it and suggesting safer alternatives.The letter also alleged that paraquat was an extremely toxic chemical and that even small quantities could cause irreversible organ damage and pose a threat to human life. It further stated that, according to available data, over 200 lives were lost each year in Telangana due to paraquat poisoning.“This pesticide is prohibited in the European Union, as well as China and Brazil. Despite this, it continues to be manufactured, sold, and widely used in agricultural practices in Telangana,” the letter stated.Passing the directions, the bench adjourned the matter for further hearing.
