On December 2, India observes National Pollution Control Day. This day honours those who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The day is observed to make people aware of pollution-related issues, its devastating impact, and how it affects our daily lives. Read on to learn more about this day and its significance.
National Pollution Control Day & Why Is It Observed In India?
On the night of December 2-3, 1984, thousands of people lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. As per Business Standard, around 15,000-20,000 people lost their lives after the toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked and spread in the atmosphere. While thousands of people lost their lives immediately, thousands of them suffered from reproductive health issues, nervous system disease, respiratory problems, blindness, and other ailments.
To honour these deaths and raise awareness about the dangers of pollution in air, water, and land, India observes National Pollution Control Day on December 2. The authorities wish to underscore the alarming issue and make people aware of its ill effects on the environment and public health.
As per the National Health Portal of India, air pollution is the cause of 7 million deaths worldwide every year. Both, the government and citizens, must take up necessary steps and develop strategies to find solutions to control pollution.
Theme & Current State Of Pollution In India
The theme for National Pollution Control Day 2024 is “Clean Air, Green Earth: A Step Towards Sustainable Living.” The authorities hope to encourage people to contribute towards creating a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable environment. They also hope to educate people about the importance of safeguarding the environment.
This is especially important right now as major metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai struggle to breathe clean air. Over the last few days, Delhi-NCR’s AQI crossed an alarming 450 and dropped to the ‘severe plus’ category. For Mumbai, the current AQI ranges around 200 in the ‘poor’ category. This has caused a huge surge in patients with respiratory ailments in both cities.
Also Read: Amid Rise In Air Pollution, Delhi Metro Records Highest-Ever Daily Footfall Of 78.67 Lakh Passengers
We hope that next National Pollution Control Day we see some improvement in the country. Share your two cents about this in the comments section.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)
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