Nearly 82 per cent of ozone depleting substances (ods) responsible for most of the harm done to the ozone layer are anthropogenic in nature, related to the West's consumptive lifestyle. If their unrestrained growth continues, the threat to life on earth will become enlarged. Stern measures to control the depletion of this life-saving layer are needed. Over the years, continued concern and increased scientific information has led to a growing international acceptance of the need to take protective action. The landmark protocol on ods, adopted in Montreal (September 1987), called for 50 per cent reduction of these chemicals by the year 2000. The protocol has been amended twice in order to speed up the progress being made in saving the layer.