Identification of POPs hotspots.
This report outlines a POPs elimination and awareness campaign involving civil society, NGOs and the media, which focused on POPs hotspots in Nepal's vegetable growing areas/croplands. The activity was divided into two phases: 1) an inventory of "potatoes" sourced into the vegetable markets of Kathmandu, assessing supply and demand, identifying product sources (commercial farms, etc) and determining residual levels of DDT and Lindane (BHC); and 2) investigating identified DDT- and Lindane (BHC)-contaminated potato farms, collecting and analyzing soil samples for residual DDT and Lindane (BHC) and sharing the information with farmers, dealers, retailers, consumers and government agencies on the POPs implications for consumer health. Two reports were produced for phase 1 and 2, respectively. The key target for the awareness materials were environmental journalists working in print, radio and TV media, in addition to the aforementioned stakeholders.
Outputs:
Production to consumption analysis of POPs in potatoes in Nepal
Increased media attention on POPs
Two reports on Phases 1 and 2