All you need to know about National Pollution Control Day
In India, National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2. This year will mark the 37th year of celebration. The objective of this day is to commemorate all the people who fatally lost their lives in the unfortunate Bhopal gas leak tragedy which occurred in 1984. National Pollution Control Day seeks to raise awareness about the problems arising due to the increasing levels of pollution in the atmosphere, and take efforts in not only finding viable solutions for this problem, but also in effectively implementing them. This is of crucial importance because it is estimated that as many as 9 out of 10 people globally are in peril due to the lack of access to safe, clean air. This can lead to numerous health problems such as respiratory disorders, lung cancer etc. Read on to find out more about India’s National Pollution Control Day.
What happened in Bhopal on December 2, 1984?
In 1984, one of the worst industrial accidents in the world took place in Bhopal which is referred to as the “Bhopal gas leak tragedy” or the “Bhopal disaster.” It took place on the night of December 2. There was a gas leakage in the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant which resulted in more than 5 lakh individuals being exposed to MIC or methyl isocyanate gas. MIC is an incredibly toxic substance which is capable of taking lives. This is what happened in this situation. Moreover, this gas also spread to the villages located in the vicinity of the pesticide plant. More than 3000 people lost their lives, but the estimate is still not confirmed. Along with this, the exact reason behind the leak still remains unknown, although there are varying theories about it.
What are the aims and objectives of the National Pollution Control Day?
- Alerting individuals and enterprises take better safety measures on industrial sites in order to prevent any industrial mishaps in the future.
- Creating awareness about the ill effects of air pollution and encouraging people to undertake responsibility and do their part in minimising it.
- Making people aware of the various pollution control acts put in place, along with their importance.
- Cleaning up waste and toxic substances from rivers, streams and other such water bodies around the country in order to ensure clean water for everyone.