The National Green Tribunal (NGT), a crucial statutory body in India designed for swift resolution of environmental-related issues, has launched an investigation into the recent gas leak event in Ludhiana district, Punjab. This tragic incident led to 11 fatalities and was impulsively acted upon by NGT after media coverage.
This probe is conducted by a specially assembled eight-member fact-finding committee, who are dedicated to getting to the bottom of this tragic circumstance and ensure that justice is served where needed.
The Ludhiana Gas Leak: What Happened?
In the Giaspur region of Ludhiana, a deadly gas leak claimed 11 lives. Nearby houses and shops were filled with a mysterious lethal gas, believed to have originated from a partially uncovered manhole in the neighborhood.
The cause of the leak is currently under thorough investigation. Autopsy reports point towards inhalation poisoning, while forensic professionals suspect Hydrogen Sulphide, a neurotoxic gas, as the culprit. A combination of acidic waste reacting with other sewer gases like methane and carbon monoxide could have produced the deadly hydrogen sulphide.
The Danger of Neurotoxins
Neurotoxins are harmful substances that can harm or even destroy neurons – cells integral to the functioning of the brain and nervous system. Gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide are all common types of neurotoxins.
Hydrogen Sulphide, identified as a prime suspect in the Ludhiana incident, is extremely toxic. Even short-term exposure can be life-threatening; if inhaled directly, it can be instantly fatal.
Safeguards Against Chemical Disasters
India has implemented numerous laws to prevent and manage chemical disasters, primarily after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. These laws encompass wide-ranging measures, from enabling the government to deal with disaster-related claims swiftly and fairly, to setting environmental standards, mandating public liability insurance for those handling hazardous substances, and even regulating the import of dangerous chemicals.
Additionally, legal frameworks are in place to manage major accident hazards, emergency planning, and responses to chemical accidents. The government has also established a central crisis group for such disasters.
The Role of the National Green Tribunal
Established under the NGT Act, 2010, the National Green Tribunal plays a vital role in dealing with environmental protection cases and conserving forests and natural resources. It became the third country in the world to set up an environmental tribunal, making India the first developing country to establish such a body.
The Tribunal is independent and is endowed with powers to adjudicate on all civil issues related to the environment, even able to take suo motu cognizance of environmental cases. It is not bound by standard court procedure, instead, it operates on the principles of ‘natural justice’, and its rulings can be enforced as if they were civil court decrees.
Dissimilarities Between NGT and CPCB
There are distinct differences between the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). For instance, the NGT was established by an Act, whereas the CPCB was created by an executive order from the Government. The NGT’s mission aligns with environmental justice and reducing litigation burden in higher courts, while the CPCB focuses on promoting the cleanliness of the country’s water sources and improving air quality.