National Pollution Control Day 2019: All you need to know
National Pollution Control Day is observed in the memory of the victims of Bhopal Gas tragedy that occurred on 2nd December, 1984. The mishap was touted as the biggest industrial disaster in history. On 2nd and 3rd December 1984, Bhopal Gas tragedy occurred when a poisonous chemical MIC (Methyl Isocyanate) and some other chemicals leaked from a pesticide plant UCIL (Union Carbide India Limited) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. More than 5,00,000 people were exposed to the poisonous gases, killing 2259 immediately. The Madhya Pradesh state government later declared that around 25,000 died in the accident.
The objective of the day is to spread awareness about industrial pollutants and how they affect our natural resources including our air, water and soil. Many laws have been drafted in India before and post the tragedy to crack a whip on various industries and factories that cause pollution in the surrounding areas.
Laws against 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 of 1989
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
The National Pollution Day brings focus back onto the various state governments and actions they are taking to combat the rising pollution in India. Recently, the Aarey forest cutting down was stopped in Mumbai by the Maharashtra government. Such steps are a welcome change from the governments that needs to employ stricter rules for anti-pollution.