Proceedings of the Asia regional workshop on the

HMG/Nepal is executing a project entitled Enabling activities to facilitate early action on <strong>the</strong>
implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops). The objective
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project is to assist HMG/N to meet its obligations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Stockholm Convention and endorse
its National Implementation Plan (NIP) on Pops. And also to streng<strong>the</strong>n national capacity and
enhance knowledge and understanding amongst decision makers, managers, NGOs and <strong>the</strong> public at
large on Pops to develop and formulate a NIP.
Present priorities
● Alternate chemicals/alternative technologies
Awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> alternate chemicals and <strong>the</strong> need to replace <strong>the</strong> environmentally
unfriendly chemicals is being realized. The financial constraints, lack <strong>of</strong> R and D
infrastructures don’t permit development and use <strong>of</strong> alternate chemicals. Priority should
be given by <strong>the</strong> international agencies to develop alternate chemicals/alternative
technologies through research and o<strong>the</strong>r means <strong>of</strong> support where necessary.
● Monitoring capacity
It is necessary to address both technical and administrative aspects for monitoring
capacity. Two aspects are inter-related and <strong>the</strong>y should be taken individually so that <strong>the</strong>
strengths and weaknesses in <strong>the</strong> region and local levels could be easily understood.
● Environment-International Agreements
Nepal needs to ratify/sign <strong>the</strong> Environment-International Agreements and conventions.
● Identification <strong>of</strong> needs at local level
Establishment <strong>of</strong> a national focal point to co-ordinate all <strong>the</strong> relevant agencies or an
authority responsible for <strong>the</strong> pesticides related issues. There should be a multi-disciplinary
approach.
● Stockpile <strong>of</strong> obsolete pesticides
Special attention is drawn to <strong>the</strong> stockpile <strong>of</strong> obsolete chemicals in Nepal and necessary
actions have to be adopted in preventing potential threats to <strong>the</strong> environment and safe
disposal.
● Filling <strong>of</strong> Pesticide Exposure Records (PERs)
Data gaps:
Filling <strong>of</strong> PERs needs improvement. More training and interaction is needed with
medical and paramedical staffs responsible for reporting poisoning.
● Limited data on environmental levels are available.
● No apparently monitoring system due to non-availability <strong>of</strong> infrastructures and relevant
technical manpower.
● No organized national surveys repeatedly conducted.
● A valid comparison <strong>of</strong> data cannot be made.
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