DHAKA: State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud urged people to be careful about causing hole into the ozone layer that prevents radiation of harmful ultra-violate ray from the sun into the earth, as calamitous climate change is a big concern for humanity.

“We should come up with effective alternatives to daily necessities harmful to the environment,” he said Thursday at a seminar organized by the Department of Environment at the National Press Club marking the 16th Ozone Day.

With the theme ‘Good governance is essential to preserve the ozonosphere’, the International Ozone Day was observed in the country as elsewhere in the world to spearhead the campaign for protecting the global environment by way of halting production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

The Day is observed from 1995. Earlier in 1994, the United Nations general assembly decided to observe the day.  

On September 16, 1987, the Montreal protocol was signed for protecting ozonosphere. The day is observed to commemorate
the day of the signing of the Montreal Protocol.

Dr Mahmud said, “People should give importance to protecting ozonosphere. The Ozone Cell of the ministry of environment and forests is working to implement the Montreal Protocol in the country.”

He said the government has taken necessary steps to protect the environment from adverse effects of climate change, caused by excessive carbon emissions.

The state minister also listed some government initiatives taken to save the environment.

Environment and forest secretary Mihir kanti Majumdar also spoke at the discussion with Director-General of the Department of Environment Monwar Islam in the chair.    

President Mohammad Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered separate messages on the day.

Earlier, the department of environment brought out a colorful procession at 8 in the morning from Dhaka University’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). The procession ended at the National Press Club.

BDST: 1716 HRS. SEPT 16, 2010