HUL275

Environment Development and Society

Assignment 2

Victims and Survivors

The Bhopal Gas leak, which took place at a pesticide plant on the night of 3 rd
December, 1984 is regarded as the world’s deadliest industrial accident.
Around 3000 people died within a week and 20,000 until 1992 when the
officials stopped counting. It continues to be a major human tragedy. While
thousands of ailing survivors still awaited the resolution of legal wrangling,
analyses remained constrained by limited data. Union Carbide (UCIL), which
owned and operated the plant and the Indian government, had controlled the
open flow of information on the accident from the first day.

The MIC poisonous gas cloud which emerged from the factory that night had
both short-term and long-term impact on the surrounding areas. Because of
the mass deaths, there were mass cremations as well as the disposal of dead
bodies in Narmada River. This made its water unfit for any purpose. Hence, this
further lead to the shortage of water as the discharge of chemicals from the
factory had already polluted the groundwater. Supplies, including food became
scarce owing to suppliers safety fears. Those who were “fortunate” enough to
survive the deadly disaster went on to live a disastrous life in excruciating pain.
The victims suffered from diseases like lung cancer, respiratory disorders, eye
problems, cardiac injuries etc. These defects are getting transferred from one
generation to the other

Following the gas tragedy, Union Carbide announced a compensation of US$

350 million. But the government of India claimed US$ 3.3 billion from UCC. It
took nearly 15 years when in 1999, a settlement was reached when it finally
agreed to pay US$ 470 million as the compensation amount. Clearly this is far
less as compared with the Exxon’s US$ 1 billion clean-up of the Alaskan oil spill
(where no humans died). Infact, by this time most of the victims were beyond
help.

Now, more than 25 years have passed and the areas near the factory are still
to get a water supply fit for drinking or even irrigation purposes. Children are
still born with symptoms which match with those who came in direct contact
of the gas. The plan for a memorial for the victims is still on paper. One should
not only remember the day for the tragedy, but one should also understand
one’s responsibility towards those who got directly/indirectly affected by the
disaster. Scientists, engineers and technologists should all join hands with
workers, doctors, lawyers and teachers to overcome the existing apathy in this
crucial area.

Submitted By:

Sachin Batwani
2008PH10633
Group 2
 HUL275
Environment Development and Society

Assignment 2

Forgetting Bhopal

Recently, we came across the 25th Anniversary of Bhopal Gas tragedy in the
year 2009. But it’s too sad and disappointing that people in other parts of the
country are unaware of what happened in Bhopal 25 years ago. They seem to
have forgotten the sufferings of human mankind which were at its peak during
that time. Now the question to be asked is: Who is responsible for this
situation? Is it the politicians who now only aim to become a member of
parliament or is it the media which unnecessarily babbles on extremely
irrelevant things and fails to look at more serious and important issues. Or is it
us? Most of us see these historic days like BGT day (3 rd Dec), 2nd Oct (Gandhi’s
birthday) etc as holidays. In this competitive era, we are concerned with the
well-being of ourselves only. We do not realise the pain and agony of others.

This tragedy has clearly demonstrated the woeful inadequacy of the

infrastructure in our country pertaining to industrial safety and occupational
health. It is not enough for India to claim to posses the third largest scientific
and technical manpower in the world. We must take some time off our
schedules and act for the humanity. Younger generation must be introduced
with these types of issues as well apart from the usual maths and science
courses.

Whatever one may expect of the government and irrespective of what the
government and related agencies may actually achieve by way of legislation
and executive measures to tackle the whole problem of industrial safety, it is
only the vigilance of the people at large and the scientific community in
particular which can guarantee safe harnessing of science and technology for
human welfare. With the help of the scientific community, we must play an
important role in building and spreading the awareness of the potential
hazards and the measures that are required to counter them.

Submitted By:

Sachin Batwani
2008PH10633