Law And Social Justice - Class 8 Civics - Extra Questions

Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.

No, the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy did not get justice. They are still waiting for it. They still fail to avail safe drinking water, healthcare facilities and jobs for the people poisoned by DC plant. Anderson, the UC chairman, who faces criminal charges, is not yet put behind the bars.


How was environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss

Earlier the environment was treated as a 'free' entity and any industry or even an individual could pollute the air and water without any restrictions. Whether it was our rivers, air, and groundwater - the environment was being polluted since there were no laws in this regard.
In the recent years and particularly the Bhopal gas tragedy has brought the issue of environment to the forefront. Now the perception has completely changed and the people have understood that the environment is something which the people over generations will share. There has been an increasing awareness among all that a clean environment is a public facility that cannot be destroyed merely for industrial development. The courts also gave a number of judgments upholding the right to a healthy environment as intrinsic to the Fundamental Right to life.



What are the sources of environmental pollution in your area? Discuss with respect to-
(a) air
(b) water
(c) soil
What are the steps being taken to reduce the pollution? Can you suggest some other measures?

I live in an industrial area of Delhi and these are the sources of pollution in the area-
a) Air pollution- Smoke comes out from the chimneys of the factories. Foul smell comes from open drains, heaps of rubbish and dirt lying here and there. Smoke of petrol and diesel vehicles is also polluting the air.
b) Water pollution- Water is polluted by chemical fertilizers used by the farmers. Water is also polluted by the effluents thrown or discharged into the rivers.
c) Soil pollution- Dirt and human waste, as well as wastes thrown by different factories in different fields or farms on open ground, pollute the soil.

Odd and even rule was recently applied and cars with even number were allowed on the road on the even day and the odd cars on the odd day. This has helped reduce air pollution. With the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the government is providing better sanitation standards and making India clean. People are urged to keep the roads and rivers clean. There are also major projects going on to clean the rivers like Ganga and Yamuna.
Some measures can be suggested to improvise these efforts taken by the government-
  • There should be strict punishments or fines for those who make the streets and water dirty. Public classes should be organized to make people aware of these laws and the ways by which we can keep our environment clean.
  • Companies and contractors who are responsible to violate environmentally should be given a strict warning.


Class 8 Civics Extra Questions