Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) organized a national conference on occupational and environmental health at Gandhi Bhavan in Bhopal on World Environment Day, bringing together representatives of labour organizations, public health experts, environmental activists, and community members from across the country to discuss pressing concerns related to workers’ health, environmental degradation, climate change, and public health.
Participants from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, Assam, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan attended the conference, which featured four thematic sessions on occupational health, environmental health, climate change, and water and global warming.
The conference stressed that occupational health and safety continue to be major public health concerns in India, particularly for workers employed in industries, mining, construction, domestic work, and other informal sectors. Speakers called for stronger implementation of labour laws, improved workplace safety standards, and coordinated efforts to protect workers from occupational hazards. Workers affected by silicosis shared their experiences and highlighted difficulties in accessing compensation and support.
Addressing the gathering, Amulya Nidhi emphasized the need to increase awareness about occupational and environmental health issues and to strengthen collective efforts to prevent work-related illnesses and environmental damage. Occupational health expert Jagdish Patel noted that occupational health risks are widespread and often go unrecognized. He pointed out that more than 90 occupations can lead to silicosis and observed that while over 70 countries have banned asbestos, India continues to permit its import despite banning asbestos mining.
Speaking about workplace hazards, labour rights activist Chunni said workers often face serious injuries, including loss of limbs and fatalities, while performing their jobs. She said her organization assists affected workers in securing compensation and other forms of support.
The conference’s second major session focused on the interconnections between environment, climate, and health. Discussions covered occupational hazards in mining and related industries, environmental degradation, access to safe drinking water, and the health impacts of climate change. Kailash Meena, associated with efforts to protect the Aravalli range, warned that extensive quarrying and destruction of the hills are creating a serious ecological crisis and called for responsible use and conservation of natural resources.
Rajkumar highlighted the rapid depletion of natural resources, stating that thousands of rivers have disappeared over recent decades and that air pollution is responsible for nearly two million deaths annually in India. He said the contamination of air, water, and soil is having a direct impact on public health. Environmental activist Rakesh Diwan urged society to learn from communities that have successfully preserved forests and traditional ecological knowledge systems.
During the concluding session, delegates discussed future strategies for strengthening occupational health initiatives at the state level. JSAI announced plans to convene a national conference on International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2026. The organization also released a declaration and outlined an action plan that includes preparing reports on occupational health conditions, assessing laws and policies affecting workers in hazardous industries, and conducting health surveys of families impacted by development projects in five states.
The action plan also includes surveys of healthcare services and the functioning of the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) system. JSAI said it would strengthen its nationwide Health Day campaign, which was conducted this year across all states and union territories.
The conference further resolved to launch a National Health Rights Course, with its first session scheduled to be held in Srinagar from September 1 to 7, 2026.
Organizers credited the success of the conference to the contributions of activists and coordinators from several states, including Sanjeev Sinha, Goranga Mahapatra, Chandrakant Yadav, Punita Kumar, Prakash Gardia, Iffat Raag, Rahi Riyaz, Hemlata Kansotiya, Mukut Lochan, and Rishikant.
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