Write short notes on :

(i) Chipko Andolan

(ii) Bhopal Gas Tragedy

(iii) Chernobyl Disaster

(i) Chipko Andolan — In the 1970s, an organised resistance to the destruction of forests spread throughout India, known as Chipko Andolan. Chipko literally means "hug the trees". The movement was a grassroots effort aimed at raising awareness about deforestation, promoting sustainable forest management, and advocating for the rights of local communities. It was a response to rampant deforestation and commercial logging activities that were negatively impacting the livelihood of local villagers and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The movement was led by Sunderlal Bahuguna, who undertook a 5000-kilometre foot march and coined the slogan "Ecology is permanent economy". Chandi Prasad Bhatt went into the forest and formed circles around trees to prevent cutting. The Chipko movement drew worldwide attention, contributed to eco-feminism and deep ecology, and led to a ban on the felling of green trees in the Himalayan forests.

(ii) Bhopal Gas Tragedy — The Bhopal Gas Tragedy was one of the world's worst industrial disasters that occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. A significant amount of methyl isocyanate (MIC), a highly toxic and volatile chemical, leaked from a storage tank at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) factory due to inadequate safety measures, poor maintenance and lack of proper emergency protocols. The gas cloud enveloped surrounding neighbourhoods, exposing thousands to deadly gas. Thousands of people died within the first few days and tens of thousands suffered from respiratory problems, eye irritation and neurological disorders. Estimates of the death toll range from several thousand to over 15,000. Contaminated soil and water continued to affect residents and livestock for years. In 1989, Union Carbide Corporation settled with the Indian government for $470 million as compensation, though this was widely criticized as inadequate. The tragedy led to increased awareness about industrial safety regulations and corporate responsibility.

(iii) Chernobyl Disaster — The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine. It is widely considered the worst nuclear disaster in history. The disaster was caused by a combination of flawed reactor design, operator errors and lack of proper safety measures during a safety test. An unexpected power surge led to a series of explosions in Reactor No. 4, releasing massive amounts of radioactive materials into the atmosphere. The radioactive plume spread across Europe, prompting large-scale evacuations. Plant workers, emergency responders and nearby residents suffered from acute radiation sickness, cancers and other illnesses. The disaster prompted a global reassessment of nuclear energy policies and led to improvements in safety regulations worldwide. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone remains largely uninhabitable due to high levels of radiation.