Port Blair, Sept. 16: Zoological Survey of India organized a one-day online workshop on the occasion of World Ozone Day 2021. The World Ozone Day is observed on 16 September annually. Every year this day is celebrated as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone layer. The purpose of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the Ozone Layer by reducing the production of substances that are supposed to be responsible for Ozone layer depletion. This year 2021, we celebrate 36 years of the Vienna Convention and 36 years of Global Ozone Layer Protection. The World Ozone Day is observed under the decision of United Nations for carrying on the awareness programmes and monitoring the ozone layer enveloping Earth. The ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet. 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.
The theme for the celebration of the anniversary is “Montreal Protocol - Keeping us, our food, and vaccines cool”. On this World Ozone Day, we celebrate and acknowledge the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment in its wider efforts to keep us, our food, and vaccines cool. The World Ozone Day workshop was focused in understanding the importance of the World Ozone Day and to create greater awareness to preserve the ozone layer. Total of 75 participants from various University, College, and School from mainland and islands were attended besides Officers and Staffs ANRC/ZSI.
Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The workshop was started with welcome address by Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer-in-Charge, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India. He also highlighted about the importance of the Ozone Day celebration.
Dr. Dhriti Banerjee has delivered inaugural address, in her speech touched upon the importance of the celebration of the World Ozone Day. She urged to the participants especially young students to be actively involved in prevention and reducing the global warming and ozone depleting gases in their day-to-day life by minimizing the use of domestic appliance and promoting vehicle sharing in these islands. She also congratulated the ANRC/ZSI for initiating the steps for celebration of the World Ozone Day.
Dr. Vijay Kumar Soni, Head, Environment Monitoring & Research Centre, Head, Polar Meteorological Research Division, Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Science, Government of India, New Delhi has delivered a talk on “Ozone Hole: Journey from Discovery to Recovery”. In his talk, he has extensively covered about story of the ozone hole and its recovery. The Antarctic Ozone Hole was discovered in 1985 by British Scientist Joseph Faran, Brian Gardiner, and Jonathan Shanklin of British Antarctic Survey. He also highlighted the importance of the Montreal Protocol, which was signed on September 16, 1987. It is an international treaty planned to protect ozone layer by reducing the production of substances that are responsible for ozone layer depletion. The aim of the Montreal Protocol was phases down the consumption and production of the different Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in a step-wise manner, with different timetables for developed and developing countries. Since the early 1970's, scientists observed reduction in stratospheric ozone and it was found more prominent in Polar Regions.
Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer-in-Charge, ZSI, Port Blair has delivered an over view of the antarctica and history of various expeditions. He also briefed about the faunal diversity in Antarctica with special reference to the Penguins and research carried out by ZSI in Antarctica. Dr. Prabir G. Dastidar, Scientist-G/Advisor (Retd.), Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi has delivered valedictory address. In his talk, he has mainly covered on various research activities carried out to meet the challenges of environmental emergencies. In addition, he has highlighted the key science questions that will drive research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in coming decades. The workshop ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Sivaperuman.