Patna: Experts on Wednesday stressed the need to reduce the use of ozone-depleting substances and adopt cleaner alternatives to protect the environment during a seminar organised by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) in Patna to mark the World Ozone Day.Addressing the programme, BSPCB member secretary Neeraj Narayan, IFS, said practical and sustainable measures were essential to tackle environmental challenges. He emphasised that adopting affordable and efficient alternatives to ozone-depleting substances would help curb environmental damage and support conservation efforts.Prof Parthasarathi of the Central University of South Bihar explained how ozone-depleting substances damage the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. He also discussed the impact of ground-level ozone, generated by emissions from human activities, on human health and the environment.Board scientist Naveen Kumar highlighted scientific research on ozone depletion and outlined global and national efforts to phase out ozone-depleting substances. He said the Centre notified the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, in line with the Montreal Protocol to regulate the production, import, export and sale of such substances.He added that the Kigali Amendment, adopted in 2016, aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a move expected to contribute significantly to limiting global warming. The seminar was attended by scientists, engineers and officials from BSPCB’s regional offices.
