ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: International Ozone Layer Day would be observed on Thursday all over the world. A cell set up in the environment ministry and public sector organizations working for the environment would hold various programmes to create awareness among the people about ozone depletion.

Recent studies indicate an increasing connection between dangerous diseases like brain diseases to environmental pollution. "Research concludes that in order to curb such worsening trends, we must take steps that conserve our natural resources and prevent us from further polluting our environment," a panel of environmentalists said in a message on Ozone Layer Day on Wednesday.

The experts said "we should all pledge towards conserving the ozone layer, an important natural resource which is essential for our existence. They said that a multitude of health problems such as cancers have surfaced as a direct consequence of depletion of the ozone layer.

Global warming has further complicated the picture with ice in the North and South poles melting resulting in floods and climate change all over the world, the ozone layer depletion being one of the major causes.

"First of all, we must recognize that air pollution of any kind is a contributing cause to the effect of Ozone depletion. Hence, we must appeal to industries and agencies to be responsible of their actions for the safety of our planet." Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should encourage and check industries to make their processes more efficient and environmentally friendly, they stressed.