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.