State ban renews debate on harmful pesticides in India

The northern Indian state of Punjab has moved to ban 20 pesticides. This comes as the nation as a whole is attempting to crackdown on pesticides that are most harmful to human health and the environment. The pesticides banned include phosphamidon, endosulfan, triazophos, alachlor and monochrotophos. Many of these chemicals are banned in a number of countries but are still in use in many parts of India. The Stockholm Convention banned endosulfan in more than 120 countries in 2011, including India.