National Pollution Control Day

Every year, National Pollution Control Day is celebrated on December 2 to commemorate and honor those who died in the Bhopal gas disaster. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place in 1984 on the nights of December 1-2. Methyl isocyanate, popularly known as MIC is a deadly gas that caused several fatalities. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy is one of the worst industrial contamination incidents.

          More than one might realize that environmental pollution has a negative impact on one's quality of life both directly and indirectly. All of this is primarily due to human activities that degrade the environment in various ways. Today prevention of pollution is a top priority for the entire world since everyone has a right to access to public lands, clean water and clean fresh air to breathe.

Significance of National Pollution Control Day

According to the National Health Portal of India, every year around 7 million people die because of air pollution worldwide, 4 million of them pass away due to indoor air pollution. The present global scenario is worse than one could ever think. Climate change is true and according to a 2019 WHO report, 99% of the world's population lived in areas where the air quality standards were not even met. Nine out of 10 people on the planet lack access to clean air due to the degree of pollution. Notably, the airborne contaminants are so minute that they can harm the lungs, heart and brain by piercing the mucous membrane.

Natural resources like water, air, land, and forests are quickly being impacted by many sorts of pollution. To safeguard the environment and lower pollution, it is crucial to properly apply laws and regulations.

In accordance with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was established in September 1974. Additionally, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 gave the CPCB the authority and responsibility to carry out its duties. It offers the Indian Government's Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change technical advice.

Major pollutants affecting our environment

The main pollutants are ozone at ground level are produced when sunlight reacts with pollutants from industrial facilities and vehicle emissions, particulate matter, a mixture of solid and liquid droplets resulting from fuel combustion, nitrogen dioxide from road traffic and sulfur dioxide, an invisible gas from burning fossil fuels like coal. Older people and children are particularly impacted by air pollution. Climate change is also caused due to air pollution.

How to prevent the pollution?

Avoiding pollution is a team effort. Each person must contribute their particular efforts in unison.

1. Start small by avoiding the use of plastic, walking short distances rather than driving
2. By using eco-friendly materials like wood, cane, and glass, not burning trash, planting trees, and other such actions.
3. During rush hour try to avoid strolling on crowded streets and prevent carrying children nearby vehicle exhausts.
4. Avoid burning rubbish since the resulting smoke is harmful to the health.
5. Encourage the usage of green energy.
6. Improve plant life and vegetation by planting more trees, such as green roofs, in neighborhood and urban forests to minimize the pollution in cities.
7. Turn off the lights and electronics appliances when not in use.
8. We all are aware about the toxicity of plastic to the environment and its non- biodegradable nature. Thus, we all must make an effort to pause before discarding the plastic bottles and containers. Try to ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ as much as possible and switch to cloth carry bags, wooden or bamboo toothbrushes, glass bottles and fabric tissues.

Why we need to celebrate the National Pollution Prevention Day?

In order to create an awareness among the people about the adverse effects of pollution, it is really important to observe this day and also to make an oath towards the safeguard of the environment. For the past few years, the following changes have increased alarmingly which is really the need of the hour for all of us:

1. Around 8 million tons of plastics go into the oceans every year due to which 100,000 marine creatures perish each year as a result of plastic contamination in the coastal areas. Slowly and gradually it has also started to degrade the marine ecology such as the coral reefs, decline in the population of exotic species or marine organisms etc.
2. Air pollution has led to the increase in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders especially in the developing and developed countries due to the emission of toxic effluents in the atmosphere.
3. The most urgent issue of the moment is climate change, which shouldn't be dismissed. If we can't save the planet on our own, we can at least contribute in some small way.
4. Even though it may sound depressing but pollution has already harmed half of the planet. This day serves as a reminder to be more cautious and take preventative measures in order to save ourselves from the disaster we are causing to this planet.