National Pollution Control Day 2024: National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2nd to honour the memory of those who perished in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984. This observance seeks to raise awareness about the severe consequences of pollution affecting air, water, and soil while emphasizing the need for preventive measures to avoid industrial disasters like the one in Bhopal.
Pollution poses a significant threat to health and quality of life worldwide. According to the National Health Portal of India, approximately 7 million people die yearly due to air pollution alone. Pollution, also called environmental contamination, involves the introduction of harmful substances or forms of energy—such as heat, sound, or light—into the environment, adversely impacting its balance.
Numerous factors contribute to pollution, including activities like bursting firecrackers, carbon emissions, industrial gas leaks, and bomb explosions. As pollution levels continue to rise globally, addressing this issue has become a shared responsibility of both governments and individuals.
Collaborative efforts and innovative strategies are essential to mitigate pollution and safeguard the environment for future generations.
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Why is National Pollution Control Day celebrated?
National Pollution Control Day is celebrated to honour the lives lost in the tragic Bhopal Gas Disaster of 1984 and to serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of industrial negligence.
The day highlights the importance of implementing effective pollution control measures and fostering awareness about the dangers of environmental contamination. It also underscores the need for sustainable practices to ensure a safer, healthier planet for current and future generations.
Objectives of National Pollution Control Day
The main objective is to make people aware and spread awareness in the industries that cause various pollution like water, air, soil, and noise and affect the environment and obviously health. We can't forget, the Bhopal gas tragedy in which the leakage of poisonous gas ‘Methyl Isocyanate (MIC)’ is the worst tragedy happened in the world so far.
It is also important to give knowledge to the people regarding pollution so that a better or cleaner environment can be formed. The Government in India has made various laws to combat pollution like in Delhi decreasing vehicles running on the road, and implementing odd and even.
National Pollution Control Board (NPCB) is the main governing body, that regularly conducts checks on industries to know whether they are following environmental regulations or not.
About The Bhopal Gas Tragedy
On 2nd and 3rd December 1984 poisonous chemical MIC (Methyl Isocyanate) and some other chemicals were released from a pesticide plant UCIL (Union Carbide India Limited) in Bhopal, MP. The unfortunate accident affected More than 500,000 people. Around 2259 died immediately and later MP government declared that around 25,000 died. In history worldwide Bhopal Gas Tragedy is identified as one of the biggest industrial disaster.
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Preventive measures are taken by the Indian Government
The Indian government has launched various acts and rules for controlling and preventing pollution in India.
- Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act of 1974
- Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess Act of 1977
- Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act of 1981
- Environment (Protection) Rules of 1986
- Environment (Protection) Act of 1986
- Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules of1989
- Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules of 1989
- Manufacture, Storage, Import, Export & Storage of Hazardous Micro- Organisms Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules of 1989
- The National Environment Tribunal Act 1995
- Chemical Accidents (Emergency, Planning, Preparedness, and Response) Rules of 1996
- Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules of 1998
- Recycled Plastics Manufacture & Usage Rules of 1999
- Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation) Rules of 2000
- Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules of 2000
- Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules of 2000
- Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules of 2001.
- Maharashtra Bio-Degradable Garbage (Control) Ordinance of 2006
- Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006
Various ways to reduce Pollution
- Pollution can be reduced by treating and managing solid waste.
- By the facility of Biochemical waste, the reuse of waste pollution can be reduced.
- By the treatment of Electronic waste, pollution can be reduced.
- Pollution in Urban areas can be reduced by the Clean Development Mechanism Project.
Therefore, it is necessary to control pollution and it is not the Government's duty we should also participate and make the environment clean and live disease-free. A clean environment helps people to do their tasks in a better way and live life happily.
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