A legal notice has been served on the government asking ban on import and marketing of the harmful pesticides known as 'Dirty Dozen' for their excessive hazardous effect on environment, human and animal health and vegetation, reports UNB.

Serving the demand of justice notice on Thursday, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers’ Association (BELA) alleged that the authorities have not cancelled, nor refused registration or import of any such harmful pesticides.

The BELA gave the authorities a deadline to reply to their notice by November 25. 1995. Otherwise, they said In the notice, appropri-

ate legal action would be taken against the authorities bound to protect the lives of the people and their livelihood.'

Despite ban or restricted use of these pesticides in at least 90 countries, even including many countries of origin, the notice said, the authorities in Dhaka, have not taken adequate measures to make people aware of the harmful consequences, nor to prohibit their availability in the market."

The notice has been served by BELA secretary general Dr Mohiuddin Fa-rooque on the secretaries of Agriculture and- Commerce ministries. Chairman of Pesticides Technical Advisory Committee of the Agriculture Ministry, BARC Executive Vice Chairman. Director of Plant Protection Wing of Agriculture Extension De partment. and Director General of Department of Environment.