The project undertook a multi-stakeholder approach to
document the nature and extent of the potential health impacts
due to industrial pollution in the Dhobikhola river towards
developing a strategy to address the situation.
This involved the preparation of a multi-stakeholder study documenting the nature and extent of chemical pollution; human health impacts; government and NGO (local and international) capabilities; possible intervention strategies; potential funding agencies for more extensive remediation efforts and the potential for improving human health by reducing pollution impacts.
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Assessment of Industrial pollution and development of remediation strategies in Dhobikhola river area [Project Activities]
2006 -2007
Development of a digital map demarcating industries in the river areaInventory of Industries and their nature of pollutantsDhobikhola river water lab testing Health samplings of localsImplementation of Cleaner Production approachCommunity awareness on Industrial Pollution and its health impactsMulti-stakeholder meetings and workshopsIncrease awareness on Industrial Effluent standard of Nepal, Environmental Act and regulations, set by Ministry of Population and Environment, Nepal, among concerned stakeholders Building consensus among the Government bodies, locals and industries on adopting a scientific approach as to minimize the pollution impact through local awareness programs and interaction between all the concerned stakeholders
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The project began with the identification of the
sources and nature of industrial pollutants in the study
area and the development of an up to date inventory of
industries and polluting sources in the study area
supported by the development of a digitized map of the
area as well. Once this was completed, the project
undertook an analysis of pollutants through physical,
chemical and microbial study of pollutants and
consequent public health risk assessment. Based on the
outcome of this work, a two pronged strategy of
awareness and basic training for industries on the
Cleaner Production Approach sought to enhance overall
awareness among selected industries as well as in the
public on the health impact due to industrial effluents.
This was further supported by a study of the existing
legal standards in Nepal with regards to industrial
pollution, and increased interaction with government
agencies and NGOs to identify areas to develop possible
remediation strategies.
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The comprehensive nature of the
project has resulted in the identification of a number of areas
for possible intervention in the future to address the issue of
industrial pollution in Dhobikhola River and its outlying areas.
The basis of such a remediation strategy is also a combination
of different approaches at various levels- the implementation of
industrial effluents compliance monitoring system at the
government level, the adoption of Cleaner Production Approach
(CP) at the industries, and the need to enhance greater
awareness at the local level to develop citizen activism in not
only enhancing their understanding of localized industrial
pollution, but also enabling them to create pressure to the
government for the implementation of standards to curb
industrial pollution.
For more information on the project, please contact WATO Nepal |
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