Port Blair, Apr 11: Living on the Edge (LOTE) an NGO has requested Lt. Governor to ban the chemical pesticides and In-organic fertilizers used in the islands.
In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor the President, LOTE, Mr. Abhay Kumar informed that the migrant / nomadic cultivators had borrowed on short term lease the genuine local settler’s cultivation land and have replaced the decade long organic cultivation with new what so called modern inorganic cultivation using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in an uncalculated manner. This new in-organic farming produces high yield vegetables with more cash value. This has lured many permanent residents to give away their land for production of vegetables.
“But, the outcome has been drastic. The disproportionate use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizer has lead to severe health issues which can be analysed jointly by the health & agriculture department, if required. The residual chemicals in form of pesticides and fertilizers in vegetables have drastic and fatal implications on health of consumers. On the other hand soil has lost its productivity and most of the paddy lands have been remained uncultivated since long,” he added.
Pointing out about these issues, Mr. Abhay Kumar requested the Lt. Governor to issue appropriate instructions whereby chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilizers could be replaced by organic farming in a phased manner.
“Any such move by you to make these islands a 100% organic farming islands will be highly appreciated in the larger interest of common people,” he added.
