National Pollution Control Day: Netizens Come Together And Appeal To Reduce Pollution For A Clean And Green Earth

New Delhi: National Pollution Control Day is observed on December 2 every year in the memory of those who suffered and lost their lives in Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984. The catastrophic incident occurred due to the discharge of the toxic gas Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) and other toxic gases from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal on the night of December 2, 1984. The year 2020 marks the 36th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. National Pollution Control day is observed with an aim to make the people and industries aware of the ways to manage and control industrial disasters, prevent the pollution produced by human negligence or industrial processes, prevention of the pollution of air, water and soil as well as to make people and industries aware of the importance of pollution control acts. As India honors those who lost their lives in a gas tragedy and marks National Pollution Control Day, several netizens including ministers took to social media to lend their support and raise awareness among people.

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Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Tweeted on National Pollution Control Day and said, clean air and water are the greatest resources available to mankind and his government is committed to a path of clean and sustainable growth. Dr Vardhan urged the citizens to adopt green good deeds and an environmental-friendly lifestyle to help curb pollution.

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Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain took to social media and urged people to take a vow to not only reduce air pollution, but also bring down water, land and noise pollution as well in order to make Delhi pollution free.

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Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar, shared an old video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi talking about following a holistic and integrated approach to reduce air pollution in 100 selected cities. He captioned the video as, “The Indian government has waged a war against pollution. Air pollution will be reduced in 100 cities over the next 5 years.”

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Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant emphasised on the 2R’s – reuse and recycle to reduce pollution. He said the day is observed to take a step forward to combat increasing pollution.

Coronavirus induced lockdown led to a significant decline in air pollution levels. Clean air and clear blue sky was a view many people cherished during the lockdown. Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Kumar Deb talked about the same and called to be mindful of the environment. He said, “COVID-19 has taught us how important it is to take care of our health and hygiene. We must not forget that our wellbeing includes our environment. Let us all do our bit to control pollution.”

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Actor Vivek Oberoi shared a short video on Instagram with an appeal to protect the environment. In a video, he said, “Our mother Earth deserves care that we have been unfortunately lacking to give. Together, let’s show the strength, intent and capability to make our environment truly green, clean and pollution free. Today is national pollution control day, so, be a part of the solution, not a part of the pollution.”

A Twitter user shared pictures of polluted water bodies, air and land and stressed upon the urgent need to bring down pollution levels.

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Through their social media handle, Chhattisgarh Police talked about vehicular pollution that adds to air pollution. Chhattisgarh Police said while drivers have the right to drive, other citizens have the right to clean air. With this message, the department asked people to get their vehicle pollution checked.

Ludhiana Rural Police also made an appeal to reduce all kinds of environmental pollution for a clean and future. They wrote, “Water and air, the two essential liquids on which all life depends, have become global waste bins” and called to stop pollution.

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NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.