Protection of Ozone Layer

As part of the global efforts to protect ozone layer, Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol were adopted in 1985 and 1987 respectively and India acceded to Montreal Protocol along with its London Amendment.

Country level activities to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODS) received a major boost during T.R. Baalu’s regime with the notification of Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000. This made India as one of the few countries to have put in place such legislation. The Rules set deadlines for phasing out of ODSs besides regulating production, trade, import and export of such substances. India also became a Member of the Executive Committee for implementation of the Montreal Protocol in 2003.

Baalu emphasized to increase public education and awareness activities for effective implementation of various programes to protect ozone layer. He conveyed this message at all the country-level International Ozone Day celebrations – 16th September every year - held in mega cities to sensitize public, particularly the students-teachers community on this important issue. The 2001, 2002 and 2003 celebrations were held with great fanfare at Hyderabad, Bangaluru and Mumbai respectively when the Baalu presided the programmes and reviewed the progress with the respective Chief Ministers.

T.R. Baalu attended the 11th 14th and 15th Meeting of Parties (MoP) to the Montreal Protocol held at Beijing from 2-3 December 1999, Roma from 25-29 November 2002 and Nairobi from 13-14 November 2003 respectively. During his visit to China, Baalu had the privilege of attending the banquette hosted in his honour by the Chinese Government in the Great Hall of Beijing. On the sidelines of the 15th MoP, Baalu held discussions with Kenyan counterpart on matters of mutual interests. Given the lack of expertise of Kenya in forest survey, He offered Indian assistance in this field through the Forests Survey of India.