ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/20/2004 31 August 2004
Indian Environment Minister inaugurates project funded jointly by Australia and Canada
Tuesday 31 August the Australian High Commissioner to India, H.E. Ms Penelope Wensley AO, and the Acting Canadian High Commissioner to India, H.E. Mr Robert Woodshouse, joined the Hon. Minister for the Environment and Forests, Mr Thiru A Raja, to inaugurate India’s National Halon Bank, at the Centre for Fire, Environment and Explosives Safety in New Delhi.
The National Halon Bank is the cornerstone of India’s USD 515,970 National Halon Banking and Management Project, which has been funded jointly by the governments of Canada and Australia and approved under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
“This project will enable India to phase out halon in an environmentally responsible and economically sustainable manner,” the Australian High Commissioner said. “Australia’s support for this important project reflects our strong commitment to contributing to shared efforts to address global environmental problems and challenges,” the High Commissioner added.
The project targets the world’s most aggressive ozone depleting substance, halon, commonly used in fire extinguishers. One kilogram of halon released into the atmosphere is capable of destroying between 240,000 and 800,000 kilograms of ozone.
The Halon Bank is equipped to process halon collected throughout India, returning it to usable purity and then storing it under monitored conditions. The processed halon will be used for servicing and maintaining existing and critical fire protection systems; satisfying India’s future halon requirements without the need for import or production of new halon.
“The National Halon Bank will play an important role in the protection of the ozone layer for the benefit of future generations throughout India and the world, and is another milestone in the ongoing cooperation between Canada and India in the environment sector,” the Acting Canadian High Commissioner said.
Later this week technicians from businesses in New Delhi and surrounding areas will participate in workshops in best practices in halon management. Their participation indicates the Indian community’s commitment to this project and to the ozone layer protection.
For additional details, please contact Ms Clare Duffield, Second Secretary, Australian High Commission, on telephone 51494319.