Port Blair, Sept. 15: Zoological Survey of India is organizing a one-day online workshop on the occasion of World Ozone Day 2021. ZSI/ANRC is a premier research organization is playing an important role in knowledge-based capacity building program on various theme.  This workshop is focused in understanding the importance of the World Ozone Day. 

The World Ozone Day is annually celebrated on September 16 across the globe. There's an important event attached to the International Ozone Day i.e., Montreal Protocol, held in 1987. It is a successful collaboration of more than 24 member Nations of the UN as they together signed and pledged to save the ozone layer from further damage by limiting the use of CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) and other dangerous substances that cause the depletion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. On December 19, 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed September 16 to be the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. The day was first celebrated on September 16, 1995.

The theme of World Ozone Day 2021 "Montreal Protocol- Keeping Us, Our Food and Vaccines Cool”. The Montreal Protocol has done its job very well, making it one of the most successful environmental agreements to date. A collective global effort to phase out ozone-depleting elements means that the hole in the ozone layer is healing, in turn, safeguarding human health, economies, and entire ecosystems. For our future generations to survive in an eco-friendly environment, it’s imperative to preserve and sustain the bio-diversities. Harming nature is detrimental to the progress of humankind. The most excellent way to celebrate World Ozone Day is to gather massive crowds and give them awareness about how CFCs destroy the ozone layer above us.  

As a part of the World Ozone Day celebrations, the ZSI organising one day workshop to create greater awareness to preserve the ozone layer.  Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India, will deliver the inaugural address following by talk on “Ozone Hole: Journey from Discovery to Recovery” by Dr. Vijay Kumar Soni, Head, Environment Monitoring & Research Centre, Head, Polar Meteorological Research Division, Meteorological Department, New Delhi; “Antarctica: A fascinating journey through everlasting ice” by Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer-in-Charge, ZSI, Port Blair.  The valedictory address will be delivered by Dr. Prabir G. Dastidar, Scientist-G/Advisor (Retd.), Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi.