(i) Choose an issue that has provoked a controversy like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy or the Narmada Dam Project in which the lives of the poor have been affected.
(ii) Find out the facts of the case.
(iii) Present your arguments.
(iv) Suggest a possible settlement.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Facts of the case:
• The tragedy happened during the midnight of 2-3 December 1984.
• It happened at Union Carbide India Limited.
• An estimated 40 tonnes of Methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas was leaked from the plant.
• Official records sate that the Bhopal gas tragedy has killed 3,787 people.
• Others estimate around 5,50,000 injuries or permanently disabling injuries .
My arguments:
• The tragedy could have been caused due to negligence.
• It could have been caused due to sabotage.
• Delay in diagnosis and treatment at the hospital could have spiked the death rate. This could have been due to ignorance about industrial disasters.
• The public could have delayed going to the hospital until the last minute.
A possible settlement:
• There should be strict adherence to standards set for industries and regular inspection on the same.
• Periodic maintenance checks should be conducted on crucial industrial equipment
• Adequate security should be employed for important industrial equipment
• Hospital staff should be aware of possible industrial disasters and equipped to handle the same.
• Public awareness should be created on industrial disasters .
Narmada Dam Project
Facts of the case:
• Narmada dam project, also known as Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) is the largest structure to be built across the Narmada river.
• It is one of the 30 dams planned on the Narmada River.
• The dam is 1.2-km-long and 163 metres deep.
My arguments:
Pros
• The dam is expected to provide irrigation to farmers and drinking water supply.
• The dam will produce hydroelectricity, which will be shared between Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
Cons
• The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a social movement, led by social activist Medha Patkar, raises several environmental and social concerns due to the dam.
• Nearly 40,000 people could be displaced.
• Lower-lying villages could be submerged.
A possible settlement:
• Displaced people should be suitably relocated and rehabilitated.
• Social and environmental impact of the dam on the people and the land should be studied carefully.
• The expected benefits of the dam, like irrigation to the farmer should be planned and executed in a way that benefits the farmers.
• The electricity produced should be evacuated and distributed as planned.