Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Multiple activities mark Ozone Day

— PHOTO: RAJU V.

RAISING AWARENESS: Post-graduate students of KBN College look at the posters displayed on ozone layer depletion at a seminar in Vijayawada on Tuesday.

VIJAYAWADA: “We live in a technology-driven society and depend too much on electronic gadgets that guide our lifestyle. Simple steps initiated by individuals can prevent further degradation of environment,” says S. Badrinath, Joint Chief Environmental Engineer in the zonal office of A.P. Pollution Control Board, here.

Addressing a seminar organised by the physics and electronics departments of Kakaraparti Bhavanarayana (KBN) College on Tuesday to mark the ‘International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer’, Mr. Badrinath pointed out that the Montreal Protocol, a treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion, was aimed at slowing down the impending danger.

“Man’s greed for excessive luxury is pushing him closer to the catastrophe,” he cautioned, and doled out a few tips that could help counter the situation. Putting forth the concept of ‘mass transport system’ he said instead of opting for individual vehicles, families in a colony could arrange a common vehicle and travel together. He said youngsters should also shun bikes and use bicycles.

S. Venkateswarlu, environmental engineer at the zonal office, stressed the need for awareness on the issue since it concerned the welfare of mankind. He said the increased use of CFCs in the name of development proved to be disastrous. The scientific community woke up to the catastrophe in the making only after 30 to 40 years of the discovery of CFCs, he said. K.S.A. Krishna, environmental engineer, K. Narayana Rao, convenor of SRSV College of Education, V. Subhashini, principal of the KBN College and J. Panduranga Rao, in-charge of the physics department, were also present.

At the Regional Science Centre of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Science and Technology (APCOST) at Bhavanipuram, an essay-writing contest was conducted for secondary school students.

T. Srikumar of Andhra Loyola College and U. Lakshman Suri of Narayana College delivered lectures stressing the need to prevent depletion of ozone layer.

The day was also observed by S.T.V.R. Municipal Corporation High School at Durgapuram. In co-ordination with a voluntary organisation, Raksha, the school conducted an essay-writing competition for students in addition to taking out an awareness rally.

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