The National Pollution Control Day is celebrated every year on 2nd of December in India in order to give the honor and memorialize the thousands of human beings who had lost their existence because of the Bhopal gas calamity. Bhopal gas tragedy occurred in the year 1984 on the night of 2–3 December. Many people died due to poisonous gas Methyl Isocyanate also known as MIC. Bhopal Gas Tragedy is considered as one of biggest industrial pollution disasters. The aftereffects of the tragedy were also very severe as increased cases of cancer and birth defects were reported.
Objectives of the day:
• To spread awareness on managing and controlling industrial disasters
• To prevent the pollution produced by industrial processes or human negligence
• To make people and industries aware about the importance of pollution control acts
Significance
According to the National Health Portal of India, around 7 million people across the globe die every year due to air pollution. It also says that the condition of air pollution is so worse that nine among ten people globally do not have access to safe or pure air, especially children and older people are highly affected by air pollution.
The pollutants present in the air can pass through mucus membrane and other protective barriers and damage the lungs, heart, and brain. Not only that the air pollution is also responsible for the damage of the ozone layer as well as climate change.
Preventive methods taken by the Indian Legislation:
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act of 1977
• Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981
• Environment (Protection) Act of 1986
• Environment (Protection) Rules of 1986
• Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules of 1989
• Manufacture, Storage, Import, Export & Storage of Hazardous Micro- Organisms Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules of 1989
• Chemical Accidents (Emergency, Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules of 1996
• Bio-Medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules of 1998
• Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules of 1999
• Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation) Rules of 2000
• Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules of 2000
• Municipal Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Rules of 2000
• Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules of 2001
• Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006
• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
• Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
• Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016
• Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016
• Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016
Due to different types of pollution, natural resources such as water, air, land or forest are being affected speedily. Thus, it is very essential to implement the rules and regulations properly to protect the environment and to reduce the pollution.
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