Written by Jahnvi Vyas
National Pollution Control Day is observed every year on December 2nd in India. This day holds significance as it was the day when Bhopal gas tragedy occurred. It was one of the world's worst chemical disasters, that took place at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India in 1984.
Edlodge pays tribute to the victims of Bhopal Gas Tragedy on National Pollution Control Day
The main purpose of observing this day is to raise awareness about pollution, its adverse effects on the environment and human health and to encourage efforts towards pollution control and mitigation.
In this blog, we will look at the significance of this day and explore ways to mitigate environmental pollution.
The Bhopal gas tragedy resulted from an industrial accident at a pesticide plant, causing the release of 45 tons of a lethal gas named methyl isocyanate (MIC). The gas leak claimed thousands of lives and inflicted long-term health complications on survivors, as well as causing severe environmental pollution.
The aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy highlighted the pressing need for pollution control and mitigation measures. Pollution, in its various forms, poses a threat to the environment, ecosystems and human health. It adversely affects air, water and soil quality, leading to climate change, loss of biodiversity and various health problems.
To ensure a sustainable future, it is essential to address pollution at its root causes and adopt effective mitigation strategies. In the response to the Bhopal Tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment Protection Act, 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution. This functioned as an umbrella act for all the related acts such as the Water, Air and Wildlife Protection Act.
Now, let us discuss the ways to mitigate various kinds of environmental pollution.
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Encourage recycling and reusing of materials to reduce the consumption of resources and minimize waste production.
2. Use energy-efficient appliances: Switch to energy-efficient appliances and use renewable energy sources like solar or wind to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
3. Limit the use of harmful chemicals: Minimize the use of chemicals in households and industries that may contribute to air, water, or soil pollution. Opt for natural and eco-friendly alternatives.
4. Promote sustainable transportation: Encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, walking, or cycling to reduce the emission of pollutants from vehicles.
5. Improve waste management: Implement proper waste disposal and management systems, including recycling and composting, to reduce the amount of waste in landfills and prevent its contamination.
6. Plant trees and green spaces: Planting trees and creating green spaces helps absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants, improving air quality.
7. Support environmentally-friendly industries: Promote and support businesses and industries that follow sustainable practices and use clean technologies.
8. Educate and raise awareness: Educate people about the importance of pollution mitigation and the actions they can take to reduce pollution in their daily lives.
9. Implement stricter regulations and policies: Governments should enforce and continually update regulations and policies that aim to reduce pollution, including emissions standards, waste management guidelines and environmental protection laws.
10. Support research and innovation: Invest in research and development of new technologies and practices that focus on reducing pollution and finding sustainable solutions.
It is important to acknowledge that addressing pollution requires collective efforts from individuals, communities, industries and governments to have significant and long-term impacts.
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