Thirteenth international ozone day celebrated

The thirteenth international day for preservation of the ozone layer was celebrated today to commemorate the date of signing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

New Delhi, Sept 16 : The thirteenth international day for preservation of the ozone layer was celebrated today to commemorate the date of signing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The Montreal Protocol is a landmark international agreement to protect the ozone layer. It was negotiated under the framework of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985), which outlines governments' responsibilities for protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of ozone depletion.

Namo Narayan Meena, the Minister of State for Environment and Forests, in a message said that India became a party to the Montreal Protocol in 1992 and has been sharing the global concern for phasing out Ozone Depleting Substances.

He said India has emerged as a global leader in promoting smooth transition for phasing out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), adding that the country is continuing dedicated efforts for generating awareness among all stakeholders on the importance of the Protocol.

Meena further said that the Ministry has specifically focused on small and medium scale enterprises by encouraging them to actively participate in the phase-out process. India has fulfilled all the commitments of the Montreal Protocol and has significantly reduced chlorofluorocarbon production and consumption, he added.

Expressing immense satisfaction at the honour of being bestowed the Montreal Protocol Implementers Award, Meena said that India has taken a number of policy measures, both fiscal and regulatory. He called upon fellow citizens to make efforts for protecting the ozone layer, and appealed to people to use ozone friendly products and services.

The 9th edition of the "Montreal Protocol: India's Success Story" was also released today. It contains information on India's commitment to the Protocol.

The treaty was first signed in 1987 and substantially amended in 1990 and 1992. The Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere-chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform-are to be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform). These compounds significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that shields the planet from damaging UV-B radiation. To date, 191 countries have signed the Protocol.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s theme for 2007 is Celebrating 20 Years of Progress of the Montreal Protocol's goals. The Montreal Protocol has been hailed as perhaps the most successful international treaty to date and provides a message of hope for working cooperatively to solve major environmental problems. In recognition of the importance of the Montreal Protocol and its works, various activities are being planned by regions and countries world-wide to celebrate this event and to further raise awareness on ozone layer protection.

ANI