Background
The Global Environment Facility is an independent financial organization which provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods. It was established in 1991 and it is today the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment.
Bhutan has till now implemented many projects under GEF funding with different stakeholders in collaboration with GEF implementing agencies like the UNDP and World Bank. However, there is a need to create better awareness and understanding among relevant stakeholders on GEF policies, procedures and structure. This is mainly to encourage better and active participation of relevant stakeholders in designing and formulating projects in relevant GEF focal areas in future. In Bhutan projects regarding biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and prevention of land degradation were implemented in the past and some are on-going. One of the GEF focal areas is on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). However, very little has been done in Bhutan in this particular area. Therefore, there is a felt need to create more awareness among relevant stakeholders and general public on this particular issue.
Bhutan is known for its pristine natural environment and for its farsighted environment policies and management strategies. It has managed to establish itself as a global leader in this area. While Bhutan can boast of pristine and intact natural environment, at the same time it is subject to various externalities and negative influences which are beyond its control.
Like the global climate change which is affecting Bhutan, a different kind of threat, imperceptible, insidious, subtle and therefore not easily recognizable or appreciable, is undermining the environment and the health of her people. It is already affecting most or all of us. Even an unborn child is not spared from its harmful and deleterious effects. The threat of dangerous/hazardous chemicals, pesticides and other pollutants on the natural environment, wild life, animal and human health is far- reaching and real. The Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) find their way into the human system
31
mainly through ingestion of contaminated food or through direct or indirect exposure to them. Environment is sometimes more than what just meets the eye.
The problem of POPs is expected to only grow, become more ingrained and worse with the growth in human population and consumption. Therefore, it is important to understand, appreciate and appropriately factor the potential risks from handling/usage or exposure to these dangerous chemicals, pesticides on the environment, animal and human health into the government policies, strategies and programmes. While many policies, strategies and programmes may have been already put in place to address some or most of the above-mentioned issues, there will always be room for improvement. The gaps and loopholes need to be identified and then plugged accordingly. Of particular interest during this workshop would be to create awareness among relevant stakeholders on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), their origin, nature and how they affect the environment, wildlife, animal and human health. Accordingly, come up with recommendation or suggestion for future direction and way forward.
Of all the pollutants released into the environment every year by human activity, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are among the most dangerous. The Stockholm Convention has identified 12 POPs of immediate concern, often referred o as “the dirty dozen” These pesticides, industrial chemicals, or unwanted byproducts of industrial and other processes are highly toxic and long lasting and pose serious threat to human health and the environment. Some of the severe health impacts from POPs include cancer, damage to nervous systems, reproductive disorders and disruption of the immune system.
These impacts do not respect international borders, and are often intergenerational, affecting both adults and children. POPs can affect people and wildlife even at very low doses. The serious environmental and human health hazards created by these chemicals particularly affect developing countries, where systems and technology for monitoring, tracking, and disposing of them can be weak or non-existent. Therefore, it is essential that appropriate policy and programmes must be formulated to address this important issue in a holistic and pragmatic manner. Therefore, a national level awareness workshop is felt necessary at this crucial juncture.
Objective
Create awareness among relevant stakeholders on GEF and on its existing policies, strategies, programmes and structures.
32
Create awareness on POPs and their effects on environment, wildlife, animal and human health;
Create awareness on the existing relevant government policies, strategies, programmes related to chemicals and pesticides usage and management;
Provide an interactive platform for various stakeholders to come together, share and exchange ideas, information and experiences in dealing with POPs henceforth.
Identify emerging/future priorities and needs and find ways to adequately reflect them in the existing government policies, programmes and activities.
Methodology
It will be a consultative workshop involving relevant stakeholders and partners. Presentation on GEF, its history, policies, priorities, strategies and programmes will be made. This will be followed by a presentation on the status of various projects implemented in Bhutan under GEF funding mechanism. Presentation on POPs, existing government policies, programmes and strategies, which are relevant to chemicals and pesticides usage/management in the country, will be made during the workshop. This will be followed by group work exercise. The participants will break into different groups, as per their professional background, to work on select topics of mutual interest. The main rationale behind this approach is to provide necessary platform and working environment for different workshop participants to interact, exchange ideas, experiences and understanding on a particular subject and come up with necessary suggestions for improvement.
This will be followed by a plenary session wherein the groups will present their findings, observations and recommendations for comments and suggestions from other group members. The workshop resolution will try to capture the salient issues/decision points from the workshop and forward them to relevant agencies and offices. These decision points are expected to serve as important entry points for bringing about policy formulation, legislation, etc or propose changes in the existing government policies, programmes and strategies as deem appropriate or necessary.
This national level awareness workshop will be followed by regional workshops in future to cater to a much wider audience from the Districts, central programmes and units including farmers and community-based organizations in the region.
33
Intended Audience
This workshop is intended for a wide cross section of Government Agencies, International/donor Agencies, Civil Societies, Private Sectors and Media representatives. While it is mainly intended for those involved in the decision making process, we have tried to include as many participants with different professional background as possible in order to encourage broader participation and perspectives. The organizers would have liked to include as many participants as possible if not for the budgetary and other logistical constraints.
Venue
The workshop will be confirmed at a later date. However, it will be held in Thimphu on 1st and 2nd June, 2010.
Logistical Arrangements
The workshop participants will be provided light refreshment and a working lunch at the workshop venue itself. However, they are requested to make their own accommodation arrangements if they are travelling from other areas to Thimphu. There will be a closing dinner on 2nd June, 2010 at the workshop venue itself.
Duration and Schedule of the Workshop
The 2-day workshop will begin on 1st June, 2010 at 9.00 a.m. and will end on at 5.p.m on 2nd June, 2010. The details are given in the workshop schedule/agenda.
Secretarial Staff Rapporteurs
1. Mrs. Tirtha Rana, UNDP GEF SGP, Bhutan
Workshop Organizers
34 Programme Officer, GNHC, Thimphu 2. Dr Karma Tenzing (MC) National Coordinator, UNDP GEF SGP 3. Mr. Karma Rapten
Head, Environment Unit, UNDP
In Collaboration with
1. Mr. Tshewang Dorji, Environment Officer, National Environment Commission
2. Mr. Dodo and Dr Thinley, Programme Director, National Plant Protection Centre, DOA 3. Mr. Heruka Zangpo, OIC, Central Maintenance and Training Institute, Begana, BPC 4. Mr. Pema Dorji, Sr. Environment Officer, TCC, Thimphu
5. Mrs Sonam Wangmo, Asst. Nursing Superintendent, JDWNRH, Thimphu 6. Mr. Ugyen Dorji, Chairman, Association of Auto Workshops Owners of Bhutan 7. Programme Manager, Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Gelephu, MOH
35