Democratic Rights Movement- Mounting Attack

populated areas and encouraging the shifting of industries to special areas while ensuring job security to the workers.
When all is said and done the major burden of securing a clean and healthy environment lies with the people. Neither the government nor the industries can be relied upon to act in the interest of the people at least in matters of industrial safety and pollution, in the absence of consistent pressure, For instance, the Bombay Municipal Corporation has long taken an interest in matters of industrial pollution, but has dragged its feet on action. The first and perhaps the only long-term survey of the impact of pollution on urban health has been undertaken under its sponsorship and it is now in the throes of setting up an environmental pollution and health research centre which will generate a variety of data. All this very relevant information will remain of academic interest only unless it is ensured, firstly that, the information is made available to the workers and trade unions concerned and to the general population and then that the necessary remedial and preventive measures are taken to ensure people's health and safety. Until now trade unions have paid little attention to the broader issues affecting workers' health and safety and environmental groups have been active only' in fits and starts. Unless this picture changes, disasters such as the Bombay leak will keep recurring.