Proceedings of the Asia regional workshop on the

RC. Obtaining registrations for manufacturing/importing insecticides is mandatory under <strong>the</strong> law.
Though <strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> RC are also <strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CIB yet as far as decision-making is
concerned, <strong>the</strong> two are independent <strong>of</strong> each o<strong>the</strong>r. However, consultation with <strong>the</strong> CIB is essentially
required by <strong>the</strong> Central or State Governments in making <strong>the</strong> Rules under this Act to facilitate its
implementation.
The Insecticides Act, 1968 had been last amended in <strong>the</strong> year 2000 to make penal provisions
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> act more stringent to discourage and deter regular <strong>of</strong>fenders.
Status <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> regulatory measures in pesticide management, list <strong>of</strong> regulation and legislation
NATIONAL LEGISLATION
No. Legislation Administered by
1 Insecticide Act, 1968 and <strong>the</strong> Insecticides Rules, 1971 Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agriculture
Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture & Cooperation
2 Environment Protection Act, 1986 Ministry <strong>of</strong> Environment & Forest
3 Prevention <strong>of</strong> Food Adulteration Act, 1954 Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health & Family Welfare
A. Pest and pesticide management
Keeping in view <strong>the</strong> global concern about harmful impact <strong>of</strong> pesticides on <strong>the</strong> environment,
<strong>the</strong> Govt. <strong>of</strong> India recognized <strong>the</strong> benefits <strong>of</strong> Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme during
1985 and adopted IPM as <strong>the</strong> cardinal principle and main plank <strong>of</strong> plant protection strategy in <strong>the</strong>
overall crop production programme. The objectives <strong>of</strong> IPM approach are to maximize crop
production with minimum input cost, minimize environmental pollution and maintain ecological
equilibrium. Pest surveillance/monitoring are <strong>the</strong> main activities <strong>of</strong> Central Integrated Pest
Management Centres (CIPMCs).
The notable initiatives taken by <strong>the</strong> Govt. <strong>of</strong> India for <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> IPM on sustainable
basis are:
1. Establishment <strong>of</strong> central IPM centers
There is adequate network <strong>of</strong> extension functionaries in <strong>the</strong> State Departments <strong>of</strong> Agriculture
who are always available to educate and help <strong>the</strong> farmers. Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture & Cooperation
has also established 26 Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) in most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> States/
UTs to educate farmers and impart on-field practical training to <strong>the</strong>m. The National Plant Protection
Training Institute (NPPTI) at Hyderabad imparts training to <strong>the</strong> State Plant Protection functionaries.
2. Organization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Farmers Field Schools
Farmers Field Schools are regularly organised under <strong>the</strong> IPM programme in addition to
Season Long Training for Masters Trainers’ under which State Extension Functionaries are trained
for full cropping period <strong>of</strong> various crops. State Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and
State Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture also organise training to <strong>the</strong> farmers on safe use <strong>of</strong> pesticides.
A large number <strong>of</strong> bio-pesticides based on fungi, viruses and bacteria, pesticides based on
plant origin viz. neem, pyrethrum, cymbopogon have been registered which are safe to human
beings, animals and <strong>the</strong> environment.
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