Relevance : GS 2 (Governance ),GS 3(Environment )
- The Bhopal gas tragedy : occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, is one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, caused by a gas leak at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant, resulting in thousands of deaths and lasting health and environmental impacts.
- Toxic Waste Remains: 337 tonnes of waste from 2005 still not disposed of, despite ₹126 crore released by the Centre.
- Additional Contamination: 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, mercury, and underground dumps remain unresolved since 2010.
- Government Delay: No action taken on reassessment of toxicity, stalled for over 14 years.
- Groundwater Contamination: Ongoing pollution of groundwater with toxic substances, posing health risks.
- Ignored Orders: Supreme Court and NGT orders on waste disposal and reassessment repeatedly ignored.
- Environmental Crisis: Leachate from waste continues to contaminate water sources, exacerbating the situation.
- Longstanding Negligence: Hazardous waste dumped from 1969–1984 without proper disposal or enforcement, causing ongoing damage.
- Urgent Action Needed: Immediate disposal, reassessment, and remediation required to mitigate further contamination and health risks.
