The National Pollution Control Day has been observed on December 2, 2016 in India with an aim to raise awareness amongst the people about the need of Pollution Control Acts. This day is observed every year to give honor to thousands of human beings who lost their lives in 1984 due to the Bhopal Gas tragedy and who were left severely affected due to leakage of poisonous gas from Union Carbide plant in Bhopal. This catastrophe was the worst in the world’s industrial history and people there still continue to witness physical and mental disabilities.
Bhopal gas tragedy happened in the night of December 2 to December 3, 1984 due to the discharge of the poisonous chemical Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) and other chemicals that released from Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Due to leakage, more than 500000 people were exposed to the poisonous gas of MIC and around 2259 died immediately. Later, it was declared by Madhya Pradesh government that around 25000 people died because of the gas-related diseases. However, toxic waste lying in the obsolete plant of Union Carbide has still not been disposed Objectives of observing the National Pollution Control Day are as follows:
- 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
In an attempt to prevent pollution, the Union Government has continuously been charting out various laws, rules and acts. National Pollution Control Board (NPCB) is the main governing body that conducts checks on industries to know whether they are following environmental regulations or not.