National Pollution Control Day: December 2

December 2, 2021

Every year, India marks the National Pollution Control Day on December 2. The day is observed in the memory of the people who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The National Pollution Control Day is celebrated in India to make the citizens aware of laws that exist in India that help to contain pollution.

Objectives of National Pollution Control Day

To create awareness in increasing air pollution
To educate people on controlling and managing industrial disasters.
To make everyone aware of pollution control acts in the country
To create awareness on ways to reduce the level of pollution
To prevent industrial pollution that is caused by human negligence

Bhopal gas tragedy

The Bhopal gas tragedy occurred on December 2nd and 3rd, 1984. During the accident poisonous chemical methyl isocyanate leaked from a pesticide plant union carbide India Limited in Bhopal. This exposed more than 500 thousand people to the poisonous gas. Around 2259 people died immediately. Later the Government of India announced that the tragedy killed around 25,000 people. It was considered as the biggest industrial disaster in the world.

Air Pollution in India

India is home to 21 out of 30 polluted cities in the world. According to World Health Organization, around 140 million people in the country breath air that is ten times above the safe limit set by WHO.

Theme of National Pollution Control Day, 2021

To create awareness about the importance of pollution control
To educate people on how to prevent pollution

What are the laws of India that prevent and control pollution in the country?

The Government of India launched several rules and act to control and prevent pollution in India. They are as follows

Environment impact assessment, 2006
Maharashtra biodegradable garbage control ordinance, 2006
Batteries management and handling rules, 2001
Municipal solid waste management and handling rules, 2000
Noise pollution regulation and control rules, 2000
Ozone depleting substances regulation rules, 2000
Recycled plastics manufacture and usage rules, 1999
Biomedical waste management and handling rules, 1998
Chemical accidents emergency, preparedness, planning and response rules, 1996
National environment tribunal act, 1995
Manufacture, import, storage, export and storage of hazardous micro organisms genetically engineered organisms or cells rules, 1989
Hazardous waste management and handling rules, 1989
Manufacture, import and storage of hazardous chemical rules, 1989
Environment protection act, 1986
Environment protection rules, 1986
Air prevention and control of pollution act, 1981
Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1977