Chandigarh, September 16: Today, observing the World Ozone Day, an Inter-School Poster Making Contest on theme of ‘MONTREAL PROTOCOL: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change’, was jointly organized by Yuvsatta-NGO, Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration and Eco Club of Dev Samaj College of Education. In which, 200 students from over twenty prominent schools of the city participated at Dev Samaj College of Education, Chandigarh.

Expressing his concerns Mr. TC Nautiyal, CCF & Director, Department of Environment shared that World Ozone Day (WOD) highlights the fact that the we all have to join hands to conserve the ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, which protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on planet. This ozone shield is crucial for life on Earth, there is an ever increasing need to search for possible solutions to preserve it. The participating students were advised to use environment-friendly cleaning products, prohibit the use of nitrous oxide, and buy air conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs as refrigerants. They were also encouraged to motivate their parents not to unnecessarily use private vehicles and go for more eco-friendly public transport, electric vehicles, carpool or usage of bicycles.

Prominent amongst those who participated includes Dr. Agnese Dhillon, Secretary, Dev Samaj, Dr. Richa Sharma, Principal, Senior artists Mr. Romesh Malhotra and Mr. Sandeep Joshi and Yuvsatta coordinator, Mr. Pramod Sharma.

The winners of the Inter-School Poster Making Contest are as under;

Junior category (Class VI to VIII)-Top five entries: Anysha Thakur, Government Model Sr. Sec. School- Khudda Ali Sher, Mehr-Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Jiya-Institute for the Blind, Veda Mahajan-Mount Carmel School and Sanchita Sharma of St. Xavier High School.

Senior category (Class IX to XII) -Top five entries: Harman Deep Kaur and Reena of Government Girls Sr. Sec. School, Sector 20B, Alisha of Government Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 19C, Aradhana of Government Girls Model Sr. Sec School, Sector 18C and Karanveer Singh of Institute for the Blind.

The programme ended with prizes and merit certificates for all participating students.