Every year, India marks the National Pollution Control Day on December 2. The day is observed in the memory of the people who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The National Pollution Control Day is celebrated in India to make the citizens aware of laws that exist in India that help to contain pollution.
Objectives of National Pollution Control Day
- To create awareness in increasing air pollution
- To educate people on controlling and managing industrial disasters.
- To make everyone aware of pollution control acts in the country
- To create awareness on ways to reduce the level of pollution
- To prevent industrial pollution that is caused by human negligence
Bhopal gas tragedy
The Bhopal gas tragedy occurred on December 2nd and 3rd, 1984. During the accident poisonous chemical methyl isocyanate leaked from a pesticide plant union carbide India Limited in Bhopal. This exposed more than 500 thousand people to the poisonous gas. Around 2259 people died immediately. Later the Government of India announced that the tragedy killed around 25,000 people. It was considered as the biggest industrial disaster in the world.
Air Pollution in India
India is home to 21 out of 30 polluted cities in the world. According to World Health Organization, around 140 million people in the country breath air that is ten times above the safe limit set by WHO.
Theme of National Pollution Control Day, 2021
- To create awareness about the importance of pollution control
- To educate people on how to prevent pollution
What are the laws of India that prevent and control pollution in the country?
The Government of India launched several rules and act to control and prevent pollution in India. They are as follows
- Environment impact assessment, 2006
- Maharashtra biodegradable garbage control ordinance, 2006
- Batteries management and handling rules, 2001
- Municipal solid waste management and handling rules, 2000
- Noise pollution regulation and control rules, 2000
- Ozone depleting substances regulation rules, 2000
- Recycled plastics manufacture and usage rules, 1999
- Biomedical waste management and handling rules, 1998
- Chemical accidents emergency, preparedness, planning and response rules, 1996
- National environment tribunal act, 1995
- Manufacture, import, storage, export and storage of hazardous micro organisms genetically engineered organisms or cells rules, 1989
- Hazardous waste management and handling rules, 1989
- Manufacture, import and storage of hazardous chemical rules, 1989
- Environment protection act, 1986
- Environment protection rules, 1986
- Air prevention and control of pollution act, 1981
- Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1977
