1 May : With an aim of phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in the defence sector, a one day seminar on “Combating Climate Change by Management of ODS in Defence Applications” was conducted at HQ Technical Group, EME, here as a major initiative towards addressing a vital environmental issue, which concerns not only the Defence Forces but the entire international community.
Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, Vice Chief of Army Staff was the Chief Guest of this seminar. A large number of renowned personalities consisting of senior Defence service officers, senior civilian dignitaries from Ministry of Environment and Forest, Ozone Cell, eminent scientists of the Centre for Fire Explosives and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO and domain experts who are closely involved with the issue of ODS phase out participated in the seminar.
The earth’s ozone layer is currently in the most fragile state in the recorded history of the planet, leaving the earth exposed to unprecedented levels of harmful ultraviolet radiations. These radiations at the earth’s surface have been causing damage to quality of air, biological life, materials and human health.
The Montreal Protocol was an epoch step in the direction of limiting the destruction of our fragile environment. The Protocol was to limit the substances that deplete ozone and the international community chipped in with commendable efforts, the developing countries took major steps towards implementing the protocol by limiting and even stopping production of ozone depleting chemicals. It is important that under the Montreal protocol ODS phase out is completed with a Zero Tolerance Policy. This can only be achieved through committed leadership, international cooperation between developing and developed nations and provision of finance under Montreal protocol Multilateral Fund.
The terminal objective of the Seminar is to draw out strategies to enhance awareness levels, increase synergy between various stake holders, evolving a road map for management of ODS in In-service equipment and measures to be adopted for future induction of weapon systems in Defence Forces.