India, July 9 -- A banned pesticide named Aldrin was responsible for the deaths of mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) in the Chandraloi river of Rajasthan's Kota district, an investigation has revealed.

A joint committee formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) found traces of Aldrin in the river water. The Rajasthan Forest Department, which filed a response with the tribunal, has accepted this finding but has refused to take responsibility for the same.

Aldrin is a pesticide from the organochlorine group. The Government of India has included it in the list of banned pesticides because it persists in the environment for a long time and pollutes soil and water. It gradually accumulates in the food chain and can have serious adve...