Abstract
Increasing tendency in the use of pesticides is prevalent in Nepal. Agriculture, forest industry and health sectors are the main consumers. Agriculture sector only consumes more than 1000 M Ton. per year. Some 560 M. Tons are being spent to control insect borne diseases. The consumption is increasing in household uses as well to control insects and pests etc. A limited quantity is being used in the industrial sector.
No pesticide manufacturing establishment does exist in Nepal. One formulation plant has been casually operating since few years and formulates limited number of pesticides. Pesticides are mostly imported to meet the demand.
Pesticide act was established in 1991 and pesticide rules were promulgated in 1993. Registration of pesticides has been started. Environment Protection Act was established in 1996 and rules framed there under have recently been gazzetted in July 1997.
Unused and obsolete pesticides have been a big concern and safe disposal of them is the burning problem. Environmental pollution is being widely talked about but regarding persistent organic pollutants except for few pesticides no measure action is on. Alternatives to POPs are to be sought for public awareness campaigns, economic incentives on such alternatives and restrictions on use of POPs are to be looked into.
List of Acronyms
HMG/N His Majesty's Government of Nepal
MOI Ministry of Industry
NBSM Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology
AAS Atomic Absorption Spectro-Photometer
GLC Gas Liquid Chromatograph
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
TDS Total Dissolved Solid
TSS Total Suspended Solid
BIS Bureau of Indian Standards
BSI British Standard lnstitution
JIS Japanese Industrial Standards
ISO International Organisation for Standardization
CHSN Carbon, Hydrogen, Sulphur and Nitrogen
OIML International Organization for Legal Metrology
ANSI American National Institute for Standards
AIC Agriculture Input Corporation
ODS Ozone Depleting Substance
CFC Chlorofluro Carbons
POP Persistent Organic Pollutants
Background
The growing population demands for more food and the solution to increase food production and productivity is expected from improved agronomic practices, improved seeds, and wider use of fertilizer and pesticides. Seeds are protected by fungicides, growing crops are protected against insect; micro-biological, and plant pests by insecticides, bactericides, and herbicides. After harvest, stored foods are protected by fumigants and rodenticides. Although pesticides are not as extensively used in Nepal as in other Asian countries, there are many indicators that show the use of pesticides has been increasing in past several years (see Appendices). In Nepal, among 20 million people about 90% depends upon pesticides. It is also being widely consumed by public health and veterinary authorities to eradicate insect borne diseases. Some portion of pesticide consumption goes to household purposes to control flies, roaches, rodents etc. The industry sector consumption is not very significant. Industries use pesticides to ensure good hygienic conditions in production site and also to protect some specific product like hand knotted, hand woven woolen carpet from pests. Some pesticides are also being consumed by plant nursery.
Some of these pesticides or pesticide chemicals may not be of significant hazard to health and environment but some are so toxic that strict controls are needed to protect humans, animals, and the environment in general. These pesticide chemicals may need strict controls at every stage of manufacture, transfer, storage and application as well as handling. Some pesticides quickly disappear or are broken down into harmless degradation product, but others are very persistent or break down to form even more poisonous substances. They could be very dangerous to handle. As for example, organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides are so dangerous that their use should be restricted only to those persons who are especially trained to protect themselves and others (see tables). Similar is the case with Thallium and Sodium fluorocitrate. There could be so many other such examples in the world of pesticide. Some of them also fall in the category of persistent organic pollutants which are internationally recognized as needing immediate global action. Nepal does not seem to have given any specific actions regarding POP problem but is very much aware of them and hence some initiations have already been taken to get rid of unwanted pesticides which also include POP pesticides. Strict regulation to control POPs, public awareness campaigns on POPs and on their alternative are of paramount importance.
Again the handling of pesticide along with identification and management of waste can not be ignored. On the other hand, the waste disposal of unused as well as obsolete pesticides are of serious concern which demands for sound and sustainable solution.
Present Status
Demand for pesticides is increasing every day. Agriculture sector alone consumes more than 1000 M. tons per year. Since there has been no permanent establishment to manufacture pesticides in Nepal, demands are being taken care of by the import. Both public and private sector organizations are involved in the import of pesticides. Haphazard and illegal import of such chemicals are practised more abundantly in areas nearly Nepal-lndia border making a bad use of the open border with India. This is the reason why there could not be a reliable data on how much quantities of pesticides are being really imported to Nepal every year.
POP pesticide like DDT is still being imported by the health sector to control malaria but because of its cheaper price and effectiveness who knows that it is not being used by other sectors as well. Disposal of the unused, date expired and obsolete pesticides is still a burden even though there had been some effort on this subject in the past. At present also, World Bank Consultant did make a survey of long standing obsolete pesticides awaiting for disposal and has made a proposal for three different suitable ways among many to dispose it e.g.
INCINERATION
LAND SPREADING
i) Under the electric high tension line
ii) At the cotton development board area
iii) High rocks hill area
LONG TERM STORAGE
The disposal method has to be of sustainable nature as it is going to be the continued job as long as pesticides are being used.
There is no pesticide manufacturing plant in Nepal except one formulation plant which runs casually. They are generally imported from India or abroad. To put a limitation on the import and hence the use of persistent pesticide an act called pesticide Act and Rules framed there under have already been enforced. Under these act and rules pesticide registration have already been started and hence unregistered pesticides can not be imported and sold. In addition to this, Environment Protection Act and rules have already been established. Under these act and rules, use, import and storage of pesticides are again controlled specifically.
Pesticide Acts and Rules
Pesticide Act was established in 1991 and Rules framed there under were established in 1993. Pesticide Act and Rules have been in law since July, 1994, but a 12 months Period of grace was given. There is now need to bring law into actual operation. In the past there had been no system of pesticide registration in Nepal. lmportation of any kinds of pesticides, irrespective of how dangerous are they and without any knowledge to handle it properly, was in practice. Pesticide rules have essentially made the provision for pesticide registration license to handle it, import approval, labelling requirement, pesticide inspector, etc. Registration of pesticides and to publish them in Nepal Gazzette have already been started (Appendix 1).
Legislation
Salient features of pesticide Act & Rules include
Act
1. Short title and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Formation of pesticide committee
4. Pesticide registration office
5. Gazzeting of registered pesticides
6. Prohibition on import, export, manufacture and use of unregistered pesticides
7. License to formulate, sales and handling of registered pesticides
8. Appointment of pesticide inspector
9. Penalty and punishment
10. Appeal
11. Power to formulate rules and regulations.
Rules
1. Short little and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Application for registration of pesticides
4. Refusal to register
6. Suspension and cancellation of registration
7. Inventory of pesticide import
8. Restriction on sales of pesticides which have been imported for specific reason and which do not comply with their requirement
9. Labelling requirement and container specification
10. License requirement for sales, formulation application, etc.
11. Cancellation of license
12. Identity card for pesticide inspectors;
13. Duties and responsibilities of pesticide inspector
14. Provision to make directory manual to implement regulation.
Environmental Protection Act was established in 1996 and Rules framed there under was promulgated in July 1997.
Salient features of rules include
1. Short title
2. Definitions
3. Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) and Environmental Assessment (EIA) Guidelines and procedures
4. Pollution prevention & control
5. Environmental Inspectors, their duties and responsibilities, qualification
6. Protection of national heritage and environment
7. Analytical laboratories, its duties and responsibilities and inventory of accredited laboratories
8. Pollution Prevention fund
9. Provision to replace the loss
10. Miscellaneous
As according to initial environmental examination (IEE) procedures any chemical industry or manufacturing establishment of 100 tons production capacity per day; modern tannery with production capacity of 100 Units per day; mechanical workshop with 1 -3 hectare land area; plastic manufacturing establishment with the consumption capacity of 500 kg raw material per day; carpet washing, rubber tyres & tubes manufacturing units etc. have to pass through it. Similarly, regarding registered pesticides IEE is compulsory to import 1-to-l0 tons of pesticide; to sale, to dispose arid to store 100 kg to 1 tons of pesticide; to apply 100 kg to 1 ton of pesticide on the single area.
Similarly according to (EIA) Environmental Impact Assessment procedures, any chemical industry with production capacity of more than 100 tons per day; tannery with the production capacity of more than 100 units per day; any mechanical workshop with area of more than three hectares, any plastic manufacturing establishment with consumption capacity of more than 500 kg per day; establishment to produce pesticides, lubricants, foam, etc. have to get through it.
Regarding registered pesticides EIA has been made compulsory to import more than 10 tons of pesticide, to sale or store or to dispose more than 1 ton of pesticide, to apply more than 1 ton of pesticide on a single area, and to establish pesticide manufacturing plant or to handle it.
Pesticide Standards
No standards have been formulated or adopted for pesticides. In near future, Nepal Bureau of Standards and the Metrology shall start the job of formulation of standards for pesticides.
Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM)
Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology is a national standard body under His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMG/N), Ministry of Industry. Duties and responsibilities of NBSM are to formulate national quality and management standards, provide laboratory facilities to public and private sector organization, to work as third party guarantee body through national quality standard certification mark (NS), to provide technical consultancy to the industries, inspection and monitoring of industries, laboratory accreditation, and it also covers metrological standardization as well as calibration activities. Quality Certification Mark Act and Rules, along with Standard Weight and Measure Act and rules framed there under have empowered NBSM to perform above duties.
Basic laboratory facilities are available at NBSM. NBSM is equipped with trained technicians. Regarding environmental pollution control NBSM is capable of analyzing BOD, COD, pH, TDS, heavy metals TSS, oil and grease, cyanides, sulphides, residual chlorine, fluoride, ammoniacal nitrogen etc. Facilities for industrial emissions are under way to develop. AAS, GLC, CHSN analyzer, high volume air sampler, COD analyzer. BOD incubators are some of the related equipments to be mentioned. But as far as chemical analysis of hazardous wastes (with an exception of heavy metals) are concerned, NBSM is not well equipped with respect to the equipment and skilled personnel.
Regarding formulation of discharge standards, industry specific standards for paper and pulp, distillery, tannery, and carpet washing and dyeing industries have already been formulated, Formulation of discharge standards for sugar industry is in progress. A general industrial effluent standard to be discharged to inland surface water has already been implemented.
NBSM is also providing laboratory facilities for common effluent treatment plant for tanneries to be established in southern Nepal in near future.
NBSM is the corresponding member of ISO, and OIML and also has continued connection with BSI, BIS, ANSI, JIS, ASTM and other international standard bodies, NBSM library is equipped with standards from ISO, BSI, BIS, JIS, ANSI, Codex Alimentarius commission and few others.
Hence NBSM is also providing library facilities for these standards to public and private sector organizations of Nepal. With these above mentioned facilities in hand and power conferred by related Acts and Rules NBSM is looking forward to perform its duties and responsibilities, more promisingly in coming days. In due course of time, the Industry Specific Standards for effluent or discharge of pesticide manufacturing or formulation plant shall also be worked out in exercise of the power conferred on NBSM by Industrial hazardous waste management control regulation which also empowers NBSM to monitor the industry and its activities along with chemical analysis of discharge in comparison to the set standards. On the other hand NBSM is also acting as National Focal Point for international Forum for chemical safety (IFCS) as appointed by His Majesty's Government of Nepal. NBSM is the coordinating body among public and private sector organizations in the field of standard development, formulation of the country programme, dissemination of information, public awareness raising programme and consumer protection etc. Currently NBSM as the nodal point is also working on "FORMULATION OF COUNTRY PROGRAMME FOR PHASE OUT OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES (ODS) FOR NEPAL" under on UNEP project IM/0902-95-96 funded by UNEP and Multilateral Fund of Montreal Protocol (MFMP). In order to devise ways to phase out the ODS, primary data on the consumption and use of these substances together with the technologies used at the national level by industry, trade and service sectors, are necessary, hence the survey activities for assessing We actual use and possible demand for various CFCs and other ODS in the country have already been done the initial work for Country Programme Formulation is in progress.
Conclusion
Regarding the POP pesticides, PCBs, much information has been disseminated among the concerned. Pesticide Act and Rules were not established to phase out POP pesticides but indirectly affect them. Among those registered 78 pesticide, herbicides, fungicides, acaricides and others, those POPs which are internationally recognized as needing immediate Global Action are not included in the list. Any action programs on general awareness campaign, alternative to POPs etc are very much needed to protect the man and environment. As far as Nepal is concerned Environment Protection Act coupled with Pesticide Act and Rules have already been established. Registration of the pesticides have already been started. This makes the job more easier. Firstly, those which are not registered can not be imported and handled in Nepal. Nextly, those pesticides which are already registered need an intensive IEE and EIA. Hence the future POP phase out program will have the greater support. On top of that if the programme to
1. promoting shifts to alternatives
2. launch public awareness campaigns
3. impart economic incentives
are initiated and continued for at least some years, the POP phase out program could be quite successful and to achieve this goal national capacities has to be built in NBSM in the field of
1. conducting awareness programme
2. managing and reducing POPs risks
3. developing effective technical guidelines
4. information dissemination through seminar, workshops etc.
If NBSM receives the required support and fund it is assured that effective programme to manage and to reduce POPs risks shall be launched effectively in Nepal similar to the one which is in progress for ODS.
It is again hoped sincerely that with this workshop more information and knowledge could be gathered on the subject matter while guiding Nepal on how to go about management and reduction of POPs risks.
References
1. Pesticide Act and Pesticide Rules 1993; HMG, Nepal Gazzette.
2. Industrial Enterprises Act 1992, HMG, Nepal Gazzette.
3. Environment Protection Act & Rules (Nepal Gazzette)
4. Nepal; Industrial Pollution Control Legislation, Technical Annex Nepal Environmental Quality Standards- ADB Philippines (Hagler Baily Consulting)
5. Nepal Chemical Society (1996) "Pesticide use in Agriculture and its Impact on Water Quality and Human Health"
6. Industrial Pollution Control Regulation for Air and Water Discharges (1994).
7. Industrial Waste Management Policy (draft)
8. Susan Lowe Baker and Bishnu K. Gyawali (November 1994) "Proper pesticide use in Nepal" HMG Ministry of Agriculture / Winrock 'International Policy analysis in Agriculture and related Resource Management.
9. Mohan Mainali. "Pesticide panic; How Good is Your Food" Spotlight, August 20-26 1993.