India accounts for one-third of pesticide poisoning cases in developing countries. Abnormalities such as blindness, cancer, premature delivery, abortions, deformities, and liver and nervous diseases occur frequently throughout India due to pesticide poisoning. However, despite considerable pesticides risk, India lacks an effective pesticide policy. Unfortunately, their use in India is only increasing, as pests have developed more resistance to pesticides. In addition, rising population creates demands for higher productivity, which results in the use of more pesticides. For example, due to strong resistance of cotton pests, coupled with excessive demand, cotton farmers use the most pesticide in India. CRE, with the help of research, educational, and awareness programs and campaigns wants to break this vicious circle by promoting organic farming as a viable alternative.

To back its organic farming campaign, CRE, with the help of Toxics Link in New Delhi and Sarvodaya Youth Organization, in Warangal, has conducted research on pesticide exposures in Warangal district.

The research results were published in January 2002. The report, called "Killing Fields: Farmer Deaths due to Exposure to Pesticides in Warangal District suggested that systematic, continuous monitoring of the situation would reveal the impact of pesticide on public health and ecology. CRE was also the leader of the first National Organic Conference held at Bidkin in Maharashtra.

For further information, please contact:
Narasimha Reddy, Executive director
The Centre for Resource Education
201, Maheshwari Complex Masab tank
Hyderabad - 500 028
Ph: 0091-40-661 3367, 662 1571
E-mail: creind@hd2.dot.net.in

In November 2001, Thanal published a comprehensive report, "Long Term Monitoring of The impact of Pesticides on the People and Ecosystem (LMIPPE) at Kasargod". The report chronicled the devastating affects on the health of the people of Kasargod exposed to the spraying of the highly toxic organochlorine pesticide, endosulfan.

The Thanal group comprises of cooperative individuals who work on an informal basis. While the core group designs and coordinates the programmes, group members help fund the programmes. Some members undertake project responsibilities according to their personal capability. "Gathering for all beings" is one motto of Thanal, and "Quest for Survival" another.

When it was first registered as a society in 1986, Thanal’s concerns included ‘Natural History Studies’ and ‘Nature Education’. In 1993, Thanal started the "Teacher and Environment Network" -- a forum to motivate teachers to start environmental education. The forum today has 350 teachers in its mailing list. In 1994, Thanal launched the ‘Nature Club Council’, which coordinates the Nature Clubs of India. The council has over 500 schools in its mailing list. As a service to the registered clubs, the council offers audiovisual, reference, and program design and back up facilities. Along with a full-time coordinator, several volunteers work for the council. The council publishes two regular publications and occasional discussion papers. Members gathered 0.153 million signatures to appeal to the Indian Prime Minister to pay more attention to tiger conservation.