Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 30: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday described the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy as a "mega environmental negligence" and lamented that critical lessons from the disaster remain unlearned even after four decades.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the National Conference on Environment-2025, organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Dhankhar underscored the lingering impact of the disaster, which continues to affect generations through genetic disorders and groundwater contamination.
"The Bhopal gas tragedy’s lessons are still unlearned. The Union Carbide leakage of 1984 was a case of severe environmental negligence. Even after four decades, families have suffered generation after generation due to its devastating effects," he said.
The Vice President praised NGT chairperson, Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Retd.), for his past efforts in addressing the plight of victims. "If I recall correctly, in 2015, Justice Shrivastava, as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, played a crucial role in determining compensation for the victims. Just imagine how tragic it is that three decades later, victims were still awaiting justice," he remarked.
Dhankhar pointed out that at the time of the disaster, India lacked an institution like the NGT or a robust regulatory framework to handle environmental catastrophes. "If we had a regulatory regime then similar to what we have today, the situation could have been very different," he noted.
He criticized the common pattern of "4Ds" in environmental justice—delay, denial, disposal, and dissolution—emphasizing the need to break this cycle. "Environmental protection should not be stalled by procedural hurdles. It is encouraging that the NGT is fostering awareness and ensuring swift interventions," he stated.
Stressing the role of expert bodies like the NGT in upholding environmental justice, Dhankhar said, "The National Green Tribunal is shifting from delay to decisiveness, from denial to accountability, from mere disposal to true restoration, and from dissolution to sustainable resolution. It is earning increasing respect from institutions, the corporate sector, and the public."
The Vice President’s remarks served as a reminder of the ongoing need for strong regulatory oversight and proactive measures to prevent future environmental disasters while ensuring justice for past victims.