core sector communique

Ministry of Environment and Forests16-September, 2010Country Celebrates International Ozone Day Today

Environment is not a lifestyle in our country but it is a matter of livelihood. When we save our mountains, rivers and forests, it is not obligation on anybody, but it is important for our daily life because crores of people in our country are dependent on forests. Presiding over a function to celebrate International Ozone Day here today, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment & Forests (Independent Charge) further told the large gathering of school children, industrialists, authors and others that our rivers are associated with our culture and only in our country Gods and Goddesses are associated with animals and we worship them. Rock addicts of King Ashok also gave message not to kill any creature. He appealed for universal protection, not only of man but also of all living beings. Environment is associated with our culture and it is way of our lives.

Stressing on the need to protect Ozone, the Minister said, “Montreal protocol is the most successful protocol in the world today to save ozone. India has played a very constructive role in it. The Montreal Protocol has received universal ratification which brings together the whole international community to protect the ozone layer. We have achieved the goal to stop the use of Chloro fluoro carbons before 17 months of our commitments. ” The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed on 16th September, 1987 to protect the Ozone Layer. Since 1995, 16th September is celebrated every year as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer and commemorates the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol.

A number of competitions were organized for school children to mark this occasion. These include poster Competition, painting Competition, quiz on Ozone Science, skit competition, Model Making Competition and slogan writing competition.

Prizes to the winners of these competitions were presented today. Posters, stickers and the 12th edition of the “The Montreal Protocol: India’s Success Story” which contains relevant aspects of India’s commitment to the Protocol were also released on this occasion.

The National Awards for Prevention of Pollution and Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology for the year 2008 and 2009 as well as Maidini Puraskar for the year 2009 to the recipients for their contributions for the protection of environment were also presented.

M/s Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Dahanu Thermal Power Station, Dahanu, Maharashtra bagged the Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology for the year 2008-2009. The Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology comprises a Cash Award of Rupees one lakh in addition to a Silver Trophy and a Citation. The Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology was instituted in 1993 and is conferred to one of the best among 23categories of highly polluting industries, particularly from the angle of adoption of the clean technology.

The National Awards for Prevention of Pollution was instituted in 1992 to encourage industries and operations to take significant steps for prevention of pollution. These awards are given, one in each of the identified 23 (18 large scale and 5 small scale) categories of highly polluting industries, of which make a significant and measurable contribution towards development or use of clean technologies, products or practices that prevent pollution and find innovative technologies, products or practices that prevent pollution and find innovative solution to environmental problems. National Awards for Prevention of Pollution for the year 2008-2009 were given to seven industries in different categories of highly polluting industries. They are M/s Indian Rayon, Veraval, Gujarat (Caustic Soda), M/s Binani Cement Limited, Sirohi, Rajasthan (Cement), M/s Indina Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO),Phulpur Unit, M/s Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Bongaigaon Refinery), Assam (Oil Refinary), M/s Reliance Industries Ltd., Dahej, Bharuch, Gujarat (Petrochemical), M/s BILT Graphic Paper Products Ltd., Pune, Maharashtra (Pulp & Paper) and M/s Binani Zinc Ltd., Karala (Zinc Smelting).

To promote original Hindi books writing on Environment and related subjects like forests, wild life, pollution and water resources , the Ministry of Environment and Forests have introduced a scheme for awards to Indian authors of original works in Hindi. The detailed subjects are Forest Resources and Development, Forestry, Conservation of Nature and Biosphere Reserve, Wildlife, Pollution control, Ganga Project, Environmental Impact Assessment, Ecological Regeneration and Development, Research promotion and Environmental Education.

Shri Naveen Kumar Gupta was awarded first prize for his book Global Warmingka Samadhan Gandhigiri and won Rs. 31,000/-and Citation. The second prize was awarded to two persons, Dr. Gaytari Parshad and Dr. Rajesh Nautiyal for their title Paryavaran Bhoogol. They won Rs. 25,000/- and Citation. Shri Rajendar Joshi won the third prize for his book Prakriti, Paryavaran aur Bajarvad and got Rs. 20,000/- and Citation. A consolation prize was given to Dr C L Garg for his book Swachcha Paryavaran, Swastha Jivan. Dr. C.L.Garg received Rs. 15000/- and a Citation.

Medini Puraskar Yojana was instituted in 1987. The books are invited from Indian authors every year and the books which are adjudged as “best” are given cash awards.