Toxic Echoes
Nearly 40 years after that ghastly Bhopal gas tragedy, another very morbid reminder of one such disaster in the world surfaces with toxic wastes leaving the Union Carbide factory for disposal. This was termed as a significant step forward; however, debate has stirred up on the continuing environmental-human toll of the tragedy.
The untouched toxic waste has long been a controversy between activists and authorities. "That such steps were taken after all these years reflects a terribly poor government reaction to a disaster under which they continue to be." "Safety has been their concern," said an environmentalist talking to journalists yesterday, "Safety on disposal process as to ensure no further worries, either to environment and human habitation around disposal sites."
Survivors of the tragedy may see a mixed blessing in this. While some deem it a long overdue step, others maintain it's not going to address the problems of sufficient compensation, healthcare, and accountability that remain unresolved while engendering more distractions.
Such disposal reminds us all-too-freshly that the tragedy is far from past. Ask, as many do: Where has it been for nearly 40 years? As the Bhopal toxic song continues to echo, it becomes more evident that such scandals demand systemic changes in the regulation of industry and corporate accountability.
