Bayer CSR Activity During Floods in Sangli and Kolhapur Districts of

Report

CSR Team & Environmental Science Bayer CropScience Limited

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 1 About Bayer Prayas Foundation (BPF):

Bayer Prayas Foundation is a not-for-profit-organization under Bayer Group of Companies in India. BPF is actively involved in fostering social, economic and educational upliftment of the communities, fostering education, fostering rural development and promotion of health and sanitation. BPF takes up such projects/ interventions that are innovative in nature, which would create a larger impact on the society in the areas of education, basic living conditions by providing hygienic surroundings, sanitation, drinking water facilities and access to healthcare to the members of all communities.

Duration of Sangli-Kolhapur flood relief activity: 30 Aug to 30 September 2019

Key coordinators/supporters of relief efforts: Bayer CSR team (Suhas Joshi, Pandit Purandare, Chaitanya Arimilli, Deepak Nikam), ES Team (Arun N. Kumar, Ashish Dokras, Terence Noronha, Umesh Gharat, Deepak Pawar), Collector & District Magistrate of Sangli Dr. Abhijeet Chaudhari, Mr. Sanjay Patil, Vice President of Zillah Parishad, Mr. Vikram Gaikwad of VDK and Mr. Deepak Zinzad, CO of Jaisingpur, Pest Management Professionals including but not limited to Suhas Vani, Rajendra Patil Yedravkar, Hanumantrao Gaikwad, Siddhappa Kusugal, Guruprasad Agavne, Nikhil Khanse, Raju Parulkar, Rajendra Gaikwad, Anil Kumbhar, Viren Marchant, Gopi Nair, Birnale, and others.

Report compiled by: Dr. Ashish Dokras Environmental Science

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 2 Floods in Sangli-Kolhapur during August 2019:

During 09 Aug 2019 Sangli and Kolhapur Districts of Maharashtra were worst hit by floods.

Sangli was completely marooned, and over two lakh people were affected in this district. Likewise, as many as 223 villages in Kolhapur were hit, out of which 18 villages were completely marooned and around 29,000 people were affected in this district.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 3 Damage due to Floods:

Besides the loss of life of human, farm animals and pets, heavy crop losses were evident in Sangli & Kolhapur Districts of Maharashtra. Due to floods, the standing crops got submerged under water for prolonged time and was subsequently lost.

Flood waters caused damage house built of stone and mud. Lot of mud was flown from crop fields to residential areas and caused damage to property, vehicles, household articles like TV, Refrigerator, food grains, bedding material, books, utensils, etc.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 4 Damage due to Floods:

• People were rendered homeless, sick people had to be adjusted in temporary refuges. • Floods did not spare multi-story buildings, the main entrance and staircase leading to upper floors were inundated which forced some residents to tie their bicycles above ground level to keep them safe.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 5 Damage due to Floods:

The ordeal did not end there; as the waters started receding, damaged organic matter, dead animal carcasses, etc. started to decompose and gave out foul smell and thereby a heavy infestation of house flies.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 6 Disease Risk During Floods:

Floods always leave behind huge healthcare problems in the affected areas. These problems include risks due to water borne diseases and vector borne diseases. Contamination of drinking water is the major risk factor for disease outbreaks. River water, water reservoirs & water supply units pose important threat. Water contaminated with animal faeces, excreta leads to serious infections. Intestinal protozoal infestations increase multifocal & set a cycle of repeated infestations in the population. Direct contact infections such as skin infections, conjunctivitis, throat infections affect major number of patients. Leptospirosis, (a zoonotic bacterial disease) pose a major threat of outbreak. Transmission occurs through contact of the skin and mucous membranes with water or mud contaminated with rodent urine. After heavy rainfall & flooding there is proliferation of rodents which shed large amounts of leptospirosis in their urine.

The diseases that usually follow the flooding event include -

Floods may indirectly increase the risk of vector-borne diseases as there is massive increase in the number of vector habitats. Stagnated flood water acts as breeding sites for mosquitoes and therefore enhance the potential for exposure of the people and workers to infections such as dengue, malaria. Flooding initially flush out mosquito breeding sites, but it erupts when the water recedes. The lag time is usually around 6-8 weeks before the onset of an epidemic. (Ref. Flooding and Communicable Disease Fact Sheet - WHO). Corpses or dead bodies of animals contaminating the water supply can also cause gastrointestinal infections.

Malaria epidemics in the wake of flooding is a well-known phenomenon in malaria endemic areas world-wide. The risk of epidemics is high because of many factors such as increased exposure to mosquitoes while sleeping outside, overcrowding or environment which promotes mosquito breeding.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 7 Disease Prevention During Floods: Post flooding preventive measures can help in reducing the outbreaks of diseases. 1. Water-borne disease prevention ○ Providing safe drinking water is the most important measure to reduce the risk of water borne diseases. ○ According to WHO, Chlorination of water is highly effective against nearly all waterborne pathogens. Chlorine usually inactivates >99.99% of enteric bacteria and viruses. ○ Hepatitis A vaccination can be used in population & workers. ○ Prophylactic treatment & medical management is useful in cases of Leptospirosis. 2. Vector-borne disease prevention Mosquito population starts to build up after the flood waters have receded and small pockets of stagnant waters have developed. If rains do not continue, this takes around 10-15 days after floods. As the vector population flares up, infection and spread of vector borne diseases usually start. ○ Use of larvicides, space spraying and residual sprays of insecticides would reduce the mosquito population and thereby break the cycle of vector borne diseases ○ Similarly, mosquito repellents, liquid vaporizers, coils etc. may help control the mosquito bites at individual or household level ○ Early clinical and/or laboratory detection of diseases is important to clinically assess the cases and provide laboratory back up when such diseases are suspected, to pick up the early stages of a malaria epidemic or dengue complications. ○ With widely ranging antimalarial regimens, artemisinin-based combination therapy can be provided when a falciparum malaria epidemic is suspected or confirmed. 3. Health Education is very important for all the stakeholders after floods ○ Good hygiene. ○ Safety of drinking water ○ Food safety ○ Handling corpses ○ Precautions of wounds ○ Use and disposable of gloves ○ Psychological Support Teams ○ Post flood psychological trauma is a very sensitive issue & needs handling by councillors & psychological experts

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 8 PRAYAS From Bayer:

Over last 16 years, Environmental Science unit of Bayer CropScience has been actively participating in various vector control initiatives of the country and has largely contributed in fight against serious vector borne diseases like Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya, Filariasis, etc. Environmental Science has a wide range of Public Health insecticide products.

In the wake of Sangli and Kolhapur floods, Bayer under the umbrella of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity - PRAYAS decided to mobilize the Pest Control Operators (PCOs) to conduct vector control operations in the flood affected areas of Sangli and Kolhapur Districts of Maharashtra.

Scope of Engagement: • It was planned that Bayer would mobilize the vector control operations through PCOs during the crucial period of vector borne disease occurrence in Sangli and Kolhapur Districts of Maharashtra. • Bayer would provide the Vector Control products under the CSR activity (PRAYAS) to prevent the occurrence of common vector borne diseases like Dengue, Malaria, Chikungunya, etc. in the flood affected areas. • Bayer through its the network of PCOs would support in finding the agencies volunteering to participate in the flood relief initiative • Bayer would train the people who would execute the vector control activity in flood hit areas of Sangli and Kolhapur. • Bayer would support the coordination between the Administrative authorities, public health personnel, and PCOs for smooth running of the project and for achieving the intended end result/ objective. Collaboration with PCOs: Environmental Science team collaborated with the PCOs to understand the willingness to offer support under the PRAYAS initiative. Bayer's call for flood relief support was reciprocated by many PCOs who accepted to partner in the vector control interventions in Maharashtra floods. As vector control in flood situation is different from that of a regular pest control operation, training of the work force was very important. Pest Control Operators who partnered in PRAYAS initiative: Sr. No. Name of PCO Name of Contact Person Area of Intervention 1 SAK Services Suhas Vani Sangli 2 VDK Facility Services Pvt. Ltd. Rajendra Patil Yedravkar Kolhapur 3 BVG Hanumantrao Gaikwad Kolhapur 4 Keetnashak Siddhappa Kusugal Sangli 5 Raju Parulkar Pestokem Industries Kolhapur 6 Pest Terminators Guruprasad Agavne Kolhapur 7 Reliable Pest Control Nikhil Khanse Kolhapur 8 GT Pest Control Rajendra Gaikwad Sangli 9 Global Pest Control Anil Kumbhar Sangli 10 PCAMB Viren Marchant Kolhapur 11 Perfect Pest Control Gopi Nair Kolhapur 12 Islampur Municipal Corporation Birnale (Agriculture Officer) Sangli

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 9 PRAYAS From Bayer:

Methodology adopted: To prevent the occurrence of vector borne diseases and break the disease cycle through effective control of mosquitoes (vector) 1. Larvicide operation: Application of larvicide products (Bi-Larv, Barcelo Tablets) in various water bodies like Cesspools, open stagnant waters, container waters used for washing and all other non-potable water sources that have the potential to breed mosquitoes. 2. Space Spray: Conduct cold fogging as well as thermal fogging in areas that witness adult mosquito populations and suffer the nuisance of mosquito bites. Space spraying would not be conducted in or near natural water bodies. 3. Residual Spray: Areas infested with house flies such as the decomposing carcasses, decaying organic matter, garbage dumping areas, etc. which have the risk of disease epidemic due to house flies Preparedness: Without any time delays, mosquito and house fly larvicide and adulticide products worth a market value of around Rs. 34.21 lakh were made available to these areas during such testing times.

Four vector control products were made available for vector control interventions: Product Stock for Target pest Flood Relief Quick Bayt 178 kg House flies Aqua K-Othrine 25 lits Adult mosquitoes Barcelo Tablet 95 kg Mosquito larvae Bi-Larv 265 kg Mosquito and house fly larvae Kingfog 180 lits Adult mosquitoes All the PCOs who expressed their willingness to participate in the Sangli-Kolhapur flood relief initiative were called for the meeting on 20 Sep 2019, at one of Bayer's warehouse. Strategy for execution of flood relief operation was discussed and pesticide stocks to be allocated for each PCO was worked out based on manpower and number of days of operation. Each PCO took the allocated stock of pesticides and scheduled their plan to reach the respective flood affected area allocated to them. Along with the pesticide stocks, safety kits ware issued to all the PCOs to ensure safety during vector control operations.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 10 Coordination with Local Authorities: Before initiation of flood relief project, Bayer team along with Public Health Authorities of Sangli, conducted a meeting with the Collector & District Magistrate of Sangli Dr. Abhijeet Chaudhari. Dr. Abhijeet was very keen about timely vector control interventions in Sangli District and wanted to understand about Bayer products. The technical team of Environmental Science briefed him about the world class solutions that would be used in this program to address the emergence of vector borne diseases after floods.

Areas that required vector control interventions for working in Sangli city were identified after a 3 day survey and after getting inputs from local Public Health authorities. Bayer team was also introduced to the core team of local Administration and Municipal Corporations of Sangli and Kolhapur Districts. Key opinion leaders and local supporters were also looped-in to take ahead the planned vector control interventions smoothly.

The operations were set in motion by Bayer team with meeting between Mr. Sanjay Patil, Vice President of Zillah Parishad, Mr. Vikram Gaikwad of VDK and Mr. Deepak Zinzad, CO of Jaisingpur. Based on the inputs from ground level, detailed list of 42 villages plus 3 towns was prepared and detailed program of 20 days was chalked out.

Workforce for field implementation of vector control operations: Name of Age group Educational Expected activity (inclusive of but not restricted to) Post qualification Technician 18-48 Matric Pass Understanding about vectors, pesticides, pesticide application equipment and its trouble shooting, measuring, mixing and application of pesticides, first aid and safety precautions Supervisor 25-35 Graduate Understanding on all above + training skills, coaching skills, man management, decision making ability, local coordination, complaint handling, leadership.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 11 Villages selected for intervention

Taluka: , District: Sangli Taluka: Walva, District: Sangli Taluka: Palus, District: Sangli Total Population: 3,33,634 Total Population: 1,11,857 Total Population: 1,06,805 Sr. No. Village Population Sr. No. Village Population Sr. No. Village Population 1 Shirol 27649 1 Walva 19612 1 Palus 26151 2 Kavtesar 3589 2 Attalwade 6990 2 Bhilwadi 9551 3 Udgaon 14513 3 Bahe 4064 3 Tawdarwadi 2260 4 Danoli 14075 4 Banewadi 684 4 Malewadi 6382 5 Abdullat 16231 5 Borgaon 11229 5 AnkalKhop 9706 6 Latwadi 5000 6 Bharatwadi 298 6 Vasagde 5299 7 Aurwad 4540 7 Bichud 1364 7 Bramhnal 3002 8 Gaurwad 2631 8 Dthotarewade 837 8 Tupari 2756 9 Kavteguland 3685 9 Dudhari 1840 9 Nagthane 6575 10 Shesad 4866 10 Dudhgaon 2000 10 Amnapur 5599 11 Sivnak wadi 4070 11 Farnewadi 779 11 Duthoudi 7435 12 Shirdhon 9486 12 Goundwadi 962 12 Pundi Valwa 556 13 Bubnal 3154 13 JuneKhed 2398 13 Nagrale 3181 14 Nrushihwadi 4168 14 Kane gaon 1663 14 Burli 5850 15 Dattwad 9711 15 Kasbe Digraj 2000 15 Suyagaon 1210 16 Takliwadi 3581 16 Kavte Piran 2000 16 Sukhvadi 1257 17 Arjunwad 5641 17 Kharatwadi 1278 17 Chopdewadi 1368 18 Kanwad 3280 18 Kole 728 18 Khatav 1800 19 Kutwad 2271 19 Krishna Nagar 1727 19 Khandobach 2342 20 Chinchwad 4285 i Wadi 20 Malwadi 2614 21 Hasur 2417 20 Pundiwadi 3712 21 Masuchiwadi 3158 22 Kothali 8617 22 Mauje Digraj 2000 23 Umalwad 5024 23 Narshihpur 3602 24 Ganeshwadi 1749 24 Nave Khed 3656 25 Shirsal 27649 25 Rethreharnaksh 6976 26 Takwade 8735 26 Samdoli 2000 27 Rajapur 4058 27 Saptewadi 679 28 Akiwat 9268 28 Sawalwadi 2000 29 Majrewadi 2273 29 Shirate 2943 30 Agar 5412 30 Shirgaon 6844 31 Khidrapur 2759 31 Sigaon 6844 32 June Dharwad 2000 32 Takari 4088 33 Nave Dharwad 1000 33 Tung 2000 34 Alas 6610 35 Rajapurwadi 1088 36 Herwad 7165 37 Takli 5580 38 Ghosarwad 6615 39 Kurundwad 22372 40 48510 41 Terwad 5986 42 Bastwad 2321

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 12 Project Initiation:

Waters in some areas had not completely receded, however, in those areas stagnant water bodies were formed, project execution started with larvicide application activity. Pesticide products meant for larvicide application were issued to various groups who were directly or indirectly involved with execution of the larvicide operation.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 13 Technician Training:

It was important that insecticide products should be utilized in the way they were intended for and to achieve the purpose of effective vector control. Safety was equally important during the execution of operations.

Most of the work force lacked the skill sets required for the particular situation, it was therefore very important to train the technician team on following aspects

• Life cycle of important insect pests • Harmful effects of these pests and their role in disease transmission • What type of products to apply in a particular situation, • what should be the dose rate, • how to measure, how to mix, and how to apply • Safety precaution and use of safety equipment • Do's and Don’ts, etc. However, time was very short and trainings had to be conducted at field level before the dispatch of teams. Environmental Science team conducted a technical training on product applications, dosages and safety precautions related to the use of vector control insecticide products.

The training worked out in a great way and developed a confidence in the Technicians who were determined to work in this project.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 14 Spray men teams:

Spray teams were formed based on the area, available workforce and the pest specific needs of particular area. In this way teams like larvicide team, adulticide team, etc. were formed

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 15 Larviciding activity for non-potable water containers: Many houses in both the districts used large plastic containers for storing water for regular use like washing clothes, utensils, for bath, or handwashing, etc. These water containers sometimes did not had lid on them which created a situation for mosquito breeding. Barcelo tablets were used for such containers where water was stored for non-potable use.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 16 Larviciding activity for man-made breeding habitats: After waters receded from the flooded areas, stagnant water bodies were formed in low lying areas and areas that had natural depressions. Some areas contained articles which could automatically retain water. It was necessary to locate such areas and do the larviciding activity as mosquito breeding was anticipated in such areas.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 17 Larviciding in stagnant water in open fields:

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 18 Spraying in polluted and stagnant waters:

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 19 Spraying in open drains:

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 20 Spraying near garbage areas: Lot of waste was generated due to floods, and this waste was disposed of by the residents In the nearby garbage collection areas. However, the piled up garbage was acting as a source of breeding for house flies and thereby a threat food borne diseases. To avoid this, spray application was done in such areas.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 21 Fogging Activity:

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 22 Conclusion and outcomes:

The Vector Control interventions in Sangli and Kolhapur Districts were carried out rigorously and sincerely. Around end of September, the operations were discontinued in both the Districts. After completion of vector control interventions, however, a periodic check was consistently maintained to record any upsurge in vector borne diseases like Dengu, Malaria, Chikungunya, etc. in these areas. Based on the response from field team and administrative authorities no vector borne disease incidence was noticed in areas of intervention.

Many talukas where Bayer had undertaken the vector control operations were happy about Bayer's efforts. Many of the talukas officially communicated their gratitude through Sarpanch. (Some letter copies attached for reference). Most importantly, the District Magistrate & Collector of Sangli communicated through official letter about the vital role played by Bayer in averting the risk of epidemic diseases in the aftermath of floods.

Sangli-Kolhapur Flood Relief Bayer CSR Page 23