Year
2022
Abstract
Risk communication is an important domain that provides a firm scientific foundation for tried-and time-tested strategies of reaching out to all the stakeholders. Public perception plays a crucial role in guiding the nuclear policy pf any country. Effective communication needs more than just conveying information. Embracing the foundations of communication will help build and maintain the credibility of any technology enterprise including nuclear science and technology. A clear communication policy is beneficial in addition to operational and regulatory initiatives to safeguard public health, safety, effective communication policy would enhance the acceptance of technology and imbibe confidence. The study undertaken focuses on communication aspects associated with nuclear fuel cycle, namely uranium fuel fabrication, nuclear reactor operations, spent fuel processing, and nuclear waste management in context of the Indian Nuclear Program. Understanding the technological procedures utilized in these various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle is essential to ensure appropriate communication strategies are built and implemented. Further this work also focuses on identifying potential environmental and physical hazards. Incidents of public outcry over various nuclear facilities across India, and the government's response. Finally, we give some suggestions for risk communication between authority and various stakeholders. Experience shows, organizations that communicate consistently and provide transparency and foster confidence. It becomes difficult to communicate the benefits of emerging and sensitive technologies like nuclear sciences when people hear about them only when problems arise. It would be beneficial to engage public before the nuclear facilities becomes. Hence it is important to have a discussion on how to take up risk communication. This would ensure, all stakeholders being benefitted. Some methods to improve the process of communication are also suggested.