VEHARI, March 21: Despite a ban by the food, agriculture and livestock ministry, the manufacturing, sale and use of 34 pesticides and chemicals continue in the district and adjoining areas. These chemicals were banned some 15 years ago owing to their hazardous effects on the physical and nervous system of human beings and the environment.

Even the study of these chemicals is included in the syllabus of agricultural universities and colleges, prepared some 30 years ago, reveals a report made available to Dawn.

The banned chemicals include DDT, BHC, Bromophos, Ethyl I, Binapacry I, Cholorthiophos, Captafol, Chlorodimenform, Cyhexatin, Dalapon, Dicrotophos, Leptophos, Carbontetrachloridem, Mercurycompound, Toxaphene, Merinphos, Methamidophos, Hepchlor, Phosphamidon, Dinoseb, Chlordane, Zineb, Dibromid and Fluoroacetate.

These chemicals and poisons were banned after their multi-phased tests in seven laboratories. They not only created health problems, but also became a threat to growers-friendly pests and birds.

It has been learnt that three departments of federal and provincial governments, plant protection, pest warning and quality control of pesticides and agriculture extension, have the responsibility to implement the ban on pesticides and fertilisers. But they have failed to fulfil their responsibility.