Ref. : ER/Press/42/dG

Five organisations have jointly organised a Lecture Meeting on ‘Save Our Ozone Layer for Our Children’ at Bhaikaka Hall, Ahmedabad, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday 16 September 2003 in observance
of International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

The depletion of the ozone layer has been causing great concern the world over. It creates adverse effects on human health and natural eco-system. The Governments of the countries across the globe signed on 16 September 1987 a Protocol at Montreal on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

India, as a signatory to the Protocol, is committed to phasing out ozone depleting substances (ODS) within the time-frame specified in the Protocol. The ODSs are used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, fire-fighting, foam blowing, as solvents in cleaning applications, spray products / aerosols, etc.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a circular of Rules, “Ozone Depleting Substances” (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 as early as 25 January 2000. It contains Schedule I listing 95 ODSs, divided into eight groups according to their ozone depleting potential. The Rules also give a Schedule with dates for phasing out the use and manufacture of these ODSs.

The five organisations commemorating the Day in Ahmedabad are : the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Human and Institutional Development in Ecological Refrigeration (HIDECO3R) Project, Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), Institution of Engineers (India), Gujarat State, and Oxfam India.

The speakers at the Technical Session will include Mr. N. M. Patel, HIDECO3R Project Organiser, Mr. M. H. Thakar, ISRO, Prof. M. B. Jain, Nirma University, and Mr. P. J. Vachhani, GPCB.

Earlier, Mr. Ashok Tandon, Managing Trustee, CERC, will deliver the Welcome Address and Mr. K. V. Bhanujan, IAS (retired), Chairman, GPCB, will deliver the Inaugural Address. The Thanks-giving Address will be delivered by Mr. Navin Vasoya, Chairman, The Institution of Engineers.

Date : 15/09/2003
Place:Ahmedabad

Pritee Shah
Editor
INSIGHT — The Consumer Magazine