<p>Udupi/ Mangaluru: At a time when permanent rehabilitation projects for victims of endosulfan poisoning have been gathering dust with the government, Hosabelaku Seva Trust near Bailur in Karkala Taluk has announced plans to establish a Sevashrama exclusively for girls crippled by Endosulfan poisoning. </p><p>The 'bhoomi puja' ceremony for the Sevashrama building will be held on January 12. Sevashrama is not just a 'shelter' but promises dignity, living, care, and hope for those who have suffered immense hardships, informs Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF) President Ravindranath Shanbhogue. The government's promise to provide permanent rehabilitation centres in 2013, has not been realised yet.</p><p>To address this gap, the Trust initiated a rehabilitation Centre for 150 girls. The project is supported by many organisations, including HRPF. </p><p>A proposal on setting up a permanent rehabilitation centre for victims of endosulfan poisoning in Alankar in DK and at Senapura in Nada Gram Panchayat in Udupi is pending for approval with the government. DK Endosulfan Relief Nodal Officer Sajuddin said that an estimate of Rs 1194.50 lakh was submitted to the government for a permanent rehabilitation facility.</p><p>The facility needs an annual maintenance of Rs 1 crore, he added. About five acres of land were identified for the proposed permanent rehabilitation centre in Alankar in 2012 and later in Kokkada in Beltangady taluk. At present, two day care centres (Kokkada and Koila) and one skill training centre (Ujire) for endosulfan victims had been outsourced to non government organisations. Each centre has 25 to 35 victims, he said.</p><p>Tanula Tarun, the founder and Managing Trustee of the Trust told mediapersons in Udupi on Friday that Sevashrama will provide shelter for 150 girls. Priority was given to those with over 80 per cent disability and living in wretched conditions. A committee of experts, including government doctors, will oversee the selection process. The Sevashrama is planned as a three-story building. The first phase accommodating 50 girls is expected to be completed by June 2025.</p><p>The second and third floors will be completed within a year, she said. Tanula recollected that during Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, the 'Shutter Box' team had collected funds and donated to the Trust. With the money they purchased 38 cents of land. The building is being planned on the same land, she emphasised.</p><p><strong>Endo poisoning has left 3,000 people dead so far</strong></p><p>Between 1980 and 2000, Karnataka Government’s Cashew Development Corporation had aerial sprayed gallons of Endosulfan pesticide over cashew plantations in more than 450 villages across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts. The toxic pesticide caused severe health issues, including developmental and physical disabilities in unborn children. Tragically, the disaster had affected 12,000 people and claimed over 3,000 lives so far, Tanula said. The Supreme Court banned the use of Endosulfan in 2011. Karnataka High Court directed the state to release compensation for 8,600 survivors in 2013. Of the thousands affected, over 4,000 are girls. Many of them are bedridden and entirely dependent on caregivers. These girls, aged between 10 and 40 years, face an uncertain future, particularly after losing their parents. Around 900 victims, who are completely immobile, live in remote villages with no access to quality medical care, Tanula said.</p><p><strong>Endosulfan victims in DK, Udupi</strong></p><p>Endosulfan cell has identified 4868 victims of endosulfan spraying in DK. 3910 endo victims among them receive monthly honorariums from the government. 976 persons with less than 60 per cent disability receive a honorarium of Rs 2000 per month, 2934 persons with more than 60 per cent disability receive a honorarium of Rs 4000 per month. There are 1,846 endosulfan victims in Udupi district and monthly honorarium is being paid to 1649 victims, sources added.</p>
<p>Udupi/ Mangaluru: At a time when permanent rehabilitation projects for victims of endosulfan poisoning have been gathering dust with the government, Hosabelaku Seva Trust near Bailur in Karkala Taluk has announced plans to establish a Sevashrama exclusively for girls crippled by Endosulfan poisoning. </p><p>The 'bhoomi puja' ceremony for the Sevashrama building will be held on January 12. Sevashrama is not just a 'shelter' but promises dignity, living, care, and hope for those who have suffered immense hardships, informs Human Rights Protection Foundation (HRPF) President Ravindranath Shanbhogue. The government's promise to provide permanent rehabilitation centres in 2013, has not been realised yet.</p><p>To address this gap, the Trust initiated a rehabilitation Centre for 150 girls. The project is supported by many organisations, including HRPF. </p><p>A proposal on setting up a permanent rehabilitation centre for victims of endosulfan poisoning in Alankar in DK and at Senapura in Nada Gram Panchayat in Udupi is pending for approval with the government. DK Endosulfan Relief Nodal Officer Sajuddin said that an estimate of Rs 1194.50 lakh was submitted to the government for a permanent rehabilitation facility.</p><p>The facility needs an annual maintenance of Rs 1 crore, he added. About five acres of land were identified for the proposed permanent rehabilitation centre in Alankar in 2012 and later in Kokkada in Beltangady taluk. At present, two day care centres (Kokkada and Koila) and one skill training centre (Ujire) for endosulfan victims had been outsourced to non government organisations. Each centre has 25 to 35 victims, he said.</p><p>Tanula Tarun, the founder and Managing Trustee of the Trust told mediapersons in Udupi on Friday that Sevashrama will provide shelter for 150 girls. Priority was given to those with over 80 per cent disability and living in wretched conditions. A committee of experts, including government doctors, will oversee the selection process. The Sevashrama is planned as a three-story building. The first phase accommodating 50 girls is expected to be completed by June 2025.</p><p>The second and third floors will be completed within a year, she said. Tanula recollected that during Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, the 'Shutter Box' team had collected funds and donated to the Trust. With the money they purchased 38 cents of land. The building is being planned on the same land, she emphasised.</p><p><strong>Endo poisoning has left 3,000 people dead so far</strong></p><p>Between 1980 and 2000, Karnataka Government’s Cashew Development Corporation had aerial sprayed gallons of Endosulfan pesticide over cashew plantations in more than 450 villages across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts. The toxic pesticide caused severe health issues, including developmental and physical disabilities in unborn children. Tragically, the disaster had affected 12,000 people and claimed over 3,000 lives so far, Tanula said. The Supreme Court banned the use of Endosulfan in 2011. Karnataka High Court directed the state to release compensation for 8,600 survivors in 2013. Of the thousands affected, over 4,000 are girls. Many of them are bedridden and entirely dependent on caregivers. These girls, aged between 10 and 40 years, face an uncertain future, particularly after losing their parents. Around 900 victims, who are completely immobile, live in remote villages with no access to quality medical care, Tanula said.</p><p><strong>Endosulfan victims in DK, Udupi</strong></p><p>Endosulfan cell has identified 4868 victims of endosulfan spraying in DK. 3910 endo victims among them receive monthly honorariums from the government. 976 persons with less than 60 per cent disability receive a honorarium of Rs 2000 per month, 2934 persons with more than 60 per cent disability receive a honorarium of Rs 4000 per month. There are 1,846 endosulfan victims in Udupi district and monthly honorarium is being paid to 1649 victims, sources added.</p>