Concern over ozone layer depletion
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 16 — Seminars and workshops marked the International Day for the Preservation of Ozone Layer, which was celebrated in different parts of the city today.

The Indian Council for Environmental Education, in association with the Department of Science and Technology, organised a workshop at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8. In his keynote address, Dr G.S. Sodhi of the Department of Education, Panjab University, stressed that ozone was a dangerous pollutant near the earth's surface but it was very useful for human life in above the atmosphere as it diluted the effect of the harmful ultra-violet rays released by the sun.

Mr Ravinder Talwar, Principal of the school and president of the Indian Council for Environmental Education, was of the opinion that the ozone hole was widening with each passing day and there was need to reduce pollution on the earth to prevent any further damage. Dr S.C. Jain of Panjab University said over-indulgence in the life-supporting system had led to a state where survival had become doubtful.

Mr R.C. Jeewan, Principal of DAV College, stressed that we could not afford to destroy nature, which had provided a blanket of protection by creating the ozone layer. Prof Gautam Sharma dwelt upon the depletion of the ozone layer. Mr Vikas Kohli, General Secretary of the council, spelt out the strategies to slow down the widening of the hole in the ozone layer.

A similar workshop was organised jointly by the UT Department of Environment, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers and Regional Energy Research Centre of Panjab University at the ICSSR Complex in the university campus. Addressing the participants after inaugurating the workshop, Mr H.S. Sohal, Director, Environment, gave an overview of the state of environment and pollution in the city, which had the highest per capita number of vehicles in the country, with one vehicle for every two persons. He also deliberated on ozone depletion and highlighted that ozone was a must as a guard against the ultra-violet rays emitted by the sun, which could cause cancer if these were near the lower layer of atmosphere.

Prof S.K. Sharma, Chairman, Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, highlighted the role of chlorofluorocarbons used in refrigeration in depleting the ozone layer. He said aerosols and foam were equally responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer, which in addition to causing cancer, could result in a dip in agriculture yield and body immune system. Ms Parwana of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and Mr R.S. Saini of the UT Environment Department also spoke.