Meet to set up roadmap for saving ozone layer

The Montreal Protocol, signed almost 20 years ago to curb ozone depleting chemicals, has been successful but that does not mean the Earth8217;s ozone layer is safe yet. Hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme, a five-day meeting here will attempt to set out a 10-year road map for governments to follow to protect the ozone layer.

Inaugurating the conference, Minister of Environment and Forests, A Raja expressed the limitations even as governments accorded high priority in protecting the ozone layer. Referring to use of chlorofluorocarbonsCFC in metered dose inhalers, he said some developing countries including India face difficulties in manufacturing of these inhalers which use CFC.

Expressing his concern, he suggested in order to keep up the spirit of the Montreal Protocol, measures should be taken for safe disposal of unused Ozone Depleting Substances ODS.