Question

The following is the list of pesticides
(A) B.H.C.
(B) D.D.T
(C) NaCN
(D) Heptachlor
(E) Carbendazim
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. (A) to (E) Pesticide are banned for use in India
• B. Only (E) is banned for use in India
• C. (A) to (E) are not banned for use in India
• D. (A) to (D) are banned for use in India except (E)

Hint:

Most persistent organochlorine pesticides (like BHC, DDT, Heptachlor, Aldrin, and Endosulfan) have been banned globally under the Stockholm Convention due to their bioaccumulation in food chains.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
To protect human health and the environment, governments regulate and ban persistent or highly toxic pesticides.
In India, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare regulates pesticide registrations and bans under the Insecticides Act of 1968.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the regulatory status of each pesticide listed:
(A) B.H.C. (Benzene Hexachloride):
This persistent organochlorine pesticide was banned for agricultural use in India in 1997 due to its toxicity and environmental persistence.
(B) D.D.T. (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane):
DDT is banned for agricultural use in India.
Its use is restricted to public health programs for malaria vector control, and it is limited to a maximum of 10,000 tons per year.
(C) NaCN (Sodium Cyanide):
Sodium Cyanide is highly toxic and is banned for agricultural use in India (only permitted for industrial applications under strict regulations).
(D) Heptachlor:
This cyclodiene organochlorine insecticide is banned for agricultural use in India due to its bioaccumulation and persistence in ecosystems.
(E) Carbendazim:
Carbendazim is a widely used systemic benzimidazole fungicide.
It is registered and permitted for agricultural use in India to control fungal diseases in various crops.
Therefore, pesticides (A) to (D) are banned for agricultural use, while (E) is permitted.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Pesticides (A) to (D) are banned for use in India, except for Carbendazim (E).
This corresponds to Option (D).