Udhagamandalam: Under the aegis of the Public Awareness Association of Udhagamandalam, Ozone Protection Day was observed at the Municipal Elementary School here on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, the Secretary of the Association G.Janardhanan said that efforts should be taken by the people in order to ensure that the dependence on home appliances which accelerated global warming should be reduced. Adverting to the proliferation of oxygen parlours in developed nations, he said that such a situation should not come about here for it was deplorable. Uprooted Stating that whenever trees get uprooted due to rain and gusty winds, an equal number should be planted immediately in order to replace those that had fallen down, he said that wherever possible flowering and fruit bearing trees should be grown. The Project Coordinator, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, M.Lakshmanan, the Headmaster M.Devan and social activist T.S.Rajarathinam also spoke at the function and expressed their views on environmental conservation and other issues. The planting of some saplings belonging to the shola species inside the school premises marked the observance of Ozone Protection Day at the institution.