Entire area around gas leak site in Bhopal be declared no-man's land

11 March, 2013

Ram Kali is not losing hope for her nine-year-old grand-daughter, Ganga, who is both physically and mentally challenged. According to various media reports, Ganga can neither walk nor talk and only groans to communicate. However, her 1000 watt smile attracted photo journalists recently, and they vied with one another for her attention.

Ganga is one of the third generation children to have been born in the area where Bhopal Gas tragedy took place. Ganga's mother passed away while giving birth to her and her father abandoned her upon learning about her deformity. Initially, it was thought the after effects of the gas leak would confine to second generation children but recent reports indicate that even third generation children are also affected. The Bhopal Gas leak affected the environment in 1984 when tonnes of lethal gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Ltd. pesticides plant.

A doctor who has been working for over 20 years with the victims on this issue opines that ever since the plant was established in 1969, it had been releasing toxic wastes into the environment which gradually permeated below the soil and contaminated ground water. The high rate of children with deformities is a collective result of poisonous water and air, he adds.

The report also says the probability of a baby being born with congenital anomalies is several times higher in areas affected by this issue. Dr. Samaddar and his people had surveyed around 20,000 families from the affected areas and found that almost 3,000 children have been born with serious deformities and a majority of them suffer from multiple deformities.

It is a challenge to find a lasting solution to the issue. Debates should be initiated whether to cordon off the entire area where the gas leak had taken place and declare it as a no-man's zone so that dwelling people can then be moved to safer places. From first to second and now to third generation, some people are suffering due to this issue and therefore concerned quarters must do something to ensure that there is a stop to this, and the fourth generation at least can have a peaceful normal life without any side effects.

Money definitely helps under such circumtances if due to poverty people are unable to make a move to safer place. Therefore, ways and means should be found out, including monetary benefits given to people like Ganga (Ram Kali's grandaughter) and many more who are unable to make a choice in the present scenario. More doable thought and suggestions are needed to help the people affected.