Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi (SM)
Udupi, Dec 20: The Department of Public Health, National Institute of Occupational Health (Ahmedabad), Regional Occupational Health Center, (S) (Bangalore) in association with Manipal University, inaugurated two day “International Conference on Environment and Occupational Health” at Interact Hall Complex, Manipal University on Thursday, December 20.
The conference was inaugurated by Dr Vaman Acharya (Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Chairman, Bangalore). The welcome address was delivered by Ram Chandra Kamath (professor and head of the department) while the presidential address was given by Dr H Vinod Bhat (Pro Vice Chancellor of Manipal University Conference|)
An abstract book and a news letter on public health were released by Dr Nalini Sathiakumar from University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
Dr Vaman Acharya said, "decades back South India was known for the inflectional diseases, like malaria, plague, cholera and now endosulfan is doing the rounds".
Whenever forests are destroyed the Kyasanur forest disease (KFD, is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever) is widespread. After cutting down the forest, cashew planting was conducted in a large scale and pesticides were sprayed to these plants, in helicopter which consisted of a mixture of methyl and cyanide, which is the cause of endosulfan disorders.
South Canara was previously known for its beauty of western Ghat and coastal area, a blend of nature, though nature keeps changing technological developments are leading to pollution.
"Earth is facing problems, due to global warming, whereas where occupation is concerned agriculturists are drastically reducing and people are moving towards the fast life, eating habits and technology are making man greedy and selfish", he added.
He also spoke about the Bhopal gas tragedy and termed it as a shameful incident for the country, which affected 5 lac people and killed thousands. Soon Environment pollution Act was introduced in the country.
"The pollution created by the Power Generation of the district is a slow poison, the fly ash in the air and water is creating environmental pollution", he added.
Another additionb to pollution is the oil industry, the petro chemical waves are enormously affecting Mangalore and Badravathi.
The contribution of Poly fiber industry is another pollution area, which is discarded into the rivers in India and the increasing number of vehicles are another fact.
All the above facts directly or indirectly relates with health causing cancer, lung diseases.
Nature, environment and life are inter related and a stability between them is necessary. He advised people to work for better a world not tomorrow but today, and that it is necessary to have a package of environment and profession.
Dr Nalini Sathiakumar said the environment should relate with profession and for that an academic study structure will be more useful.