Belthangady: The number of endosulfan victims are likely to rise in South Canara as a pesticide having similar features of banned endosulfan is being sprayed in private cashew nut plantations of Dakshina Kannada, the sources confirmed.

The pesticide is being manufactured in Pune and priced at Rs 675 per liter. The pesticide is expected to adversely impact the lives of the people in Dakshina Kannada.

All most all of the cashew nut plantations are being sprayed with the new pesticide and this kind of pesticides have been recommended by the organisations who have expertise on pesticides.

Cashewnut plantations at Bantwal, Belthangady and Mangaluru taluks in Dakshina Kannada were sprayed with endosulfan for 19 years and the spraying of the pesticide was finally stopped as severe health issues emerged in Dakshina Kannda as a result of the spray.