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GEF: Regionally Based
Assessment of Persistent Toxic
Substances (PTS)
First Regional Team Meeting Report
Indian Ocean Region
Lucknow, India
July 31-Aug 02, 2001
The first meeting of the Regional Team for the Indian Ocean Region was
held at Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow on July 31-August 02,
2001. The followings were present:
Mr. Paul Whylie UNEP Chemicals, Project Manager
Dr. P. K. Seth, Director, ITRC, Lucknow, India, Regional Co-ordinator
Dr. MU Beg, Res. Scientist, Kuwait Institute of Research, Kuwait, Team Member
Dr. GK Manuweera, Pesticides Registrar, Sri Lanka, Team Member
Dr. Md. Yousuf Hayat, Director, Ecotoxicology Research Institute, Islamabad,
Pakistan, Team Member
Dr. M. Sengupta, Adviser, MOE&F, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Team Member
During the opening session of the meeting, the followings were also present:
Dr. RC Srimal, Former Director & Scientist Emeritus, ITRC
Dr. SK Khanna, Dy. Director, ITRC
Dr. KK Dutta, Dy. Director, ITRC
Er. KK Gupta, Dy. Director
Dr. GSD Gupta, Scientist
Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Scientist
Dr. Kunwar P. Singh, Scientist
Dr. Nikhil Garg, Scientist
Dr. (Ms) FN Jafri, Scientist
Mr. KL Jain, COA
Mr. US Rawat, Sr. F&AO
1. Opening Remarks
Dr. PK Seth, Director, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow
and Regional Coordinator, Indian Ocean Region welcomed Mr. Paul Whylie and
the Regional Team Members to the meeting. During his opening remarks, Dr.
Seth apprised the participants about the objectives and significance of the
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project. While briefing about the objectives of the programme and Regional Team
meeting, Dr. Seth emphasised the need for concerted efforts of the team
members to meet the objectives set in for the global programme.
Dr. Seth also introduced his colleagues present in the meeting.
2. Overview of the Project
Mr. Paul Whylie, Project Manager gave a detailed overview of the project,
its preamble, objectives, plan for activities, expected output, its relevance and
implications on national, regional and global levels. The core group endorsed the
objectives of the project. The PM provided copies of relevant UNEP publications
to each of the team members. Each member was also made available a set of 25
brochures on PTS programme for distribution among country experts and other
network resource persons in member countries for adequate awareness on the
subject.
Mailing addresses of the RC and team members were updated with
alternate fax/e-mail numbers etc. and copies provided to each of the member.
3. Presentation by the Team Members
The regional coordinator once again welcomed all the participants and
requested the TMs for individual presentations on various aspects of the PTS
programme with a view;
(i)
to analyse the overall objectives, workplan and expected outcomes.
(ii)
current status/information available on PTS in respective countries
(iii)
to shortlist the PTS in the region
(iv)
to identify the network of experts in various countries in the region
(iv)
to identify duties and responsibilities of each RT member
(v)
to plan strategies for the proposed regional technical workshops and
priority setting meeting
(vi)
to examine the outlines of the regional report
Each RT member after a brief introduction made a short presentation on
PTS issues pertinent to the programme and current state of the art on subject in
respective countries, highlighting related programmes and enactment of
regulations on use of pesticides, industrial and bye-product PTS chemicals.
After detailed discussions, consensus emerged on the list of PTS of
relevance in the region and finally, the following PTS were identified to be
addressed under the programme. However, based on real situation, new
chemical(s) may be added to the list.
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List of Priority PTS for the Indian Ocean Region
S. No.
Chemical
1.
Aldrin
2.
Chlordane
3.
DDT
4.
Dieldrin
5.
Endrin
6.
Heptachlor
7.
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
8.
Mirex
9.
Toxaphene
10.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
11.
Dioxins
12.
Furans
13.
Lindane (HCH)
14.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
15.
Endosulfan
16.
Atrazene
17.
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
18.
Org-Hg Compounds
19.
Org-Tin Compounds
20.
Org-Pb Compounds
21.
Phthalates
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4. Work Plan and Time Table
4.1 Work Plan
The proposed work plan was discussed at length and final consensus was reached as below:
The Work Plan
S.
Activity
Time Period
Unit
Results
No.
1
Country Level Contribution Phase
Aug 2001-Dec 2001
Core Team
Collected data on PTS from all
countries in region
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Ist RT Meeting
July 31-Aug 02, 2001
Core Team
Agreement on development of
(3 days)
reports; RT members
responsibilities established
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Ist Technical Workshop: Sources and
March 11-15, 2002
Core Team + Experts
Workshop reports on sources, levels
Environmental Concentrations
(5 days)
of PTS in the countries. Draft
chapters for regional report.
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2nd Technical Workshop: Impacts and
May 06-10, 2002
Core Team + Experts
Workshop reports on impact and
Transboundary Transport
(5 days)
transport on PTS in countries. Draft
chapters for regional report.
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Assessment of root causes of problem,
Aug 2001-May 2002
Core Team
Draft chapters for regional report.
regional capacity to manage PTS
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2nd RT Meeting
July 08-10, 2002
Core Team
Consensus developed on 1st draft
report for the region
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Regional Priority Setting Meeting
Sep 16-19, 2002
Core Team + Experts
Establish priority regional PTS
(4 days)
related environmental issues and
root causes. Discussion on draft
regional report.
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3rd RT Meeting
Oct 28-30, 2002
Core Team
Consensus developed on 2nd draft
report for the region.
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Final Review of Report and Final
Nov 08, 2002
Core Team
Draft
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(a) Revised List of Indian Ocean Region Countries
The list of countries in the Indian Ocean Region (Region VI) was reviewed
and the PM informed that Iraq is not a member country of the Indian Ocean
Region for PTS project and Maldives has been included in the region. Thus the
total number of countries in the region remained 16.
(b) Regional Team Members and Indian Ocean Region Countries
The regional Team members willingly opted for the countries as below to
coordinate the project activities, including the data collection;
Regional Team Member
Countries
1. Dr. MU Beg
Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
UAE
2. Dr. MYH Khan
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Mayanmar
Nepal
3. Dr. GK Manuweera
Sri Lanka
Bhutan
Maldives
Iran
4. Dr. M Sengupta
India
Yeman
(c) Transboundary Transport Modeling
The PM, RC and the RT Members decided that the Transboundary
Transport Modeling of PTS for the Indian Ocean Region will be done by Dr.
Kunwar P Singh, Scientist, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow.
However, to maintain uniformity in modeling approach (such as model type, input
and output formats etc.) among all the regions, Mr. Paul Whylie will arrange the
interface/linkages for necessary discussions between Dr. Singh and other
experts (Frank Wania) as identified for other regions. Mr. Paul Whylie assured to
come back on this issue sometime later.
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4.2 Time Table for Implementation
The following time table of activities was endorsed by the team members
Time Table for Implementation
2001
2002
Component /Activity
A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D
Regional Assessment
Country level
contribution
1st RT Meeting
Collation of sources and
concentration
Technical Workshop:
Sources & Concentration
Collation of Impacts and
Transport
Technical Workshop:
Impacts and Transport
2nd RT Meeting
(Report Draft 1)
Capacity & Root Causes
Regional Priority Setting
Meeting
3rd RT Meeting
(Report Draft 2)
Final Review of Report
and Final Draft
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Time Schedule of the future regional Meetings
Further, in view of the agreement reached in previous RCs meeting
regarding the Technical Workshops and Priority Setting Meeting to be organised
in different countries in the region to facilitate the dissemination of information as
gathered under the project, the venues, dates and local organisers of various
events were decided and agreed upon as below.
(1)
1st Technical Workshop on Sources and Environmental Concentrations
Venue: Kuwait
Date : March 11-15, 2002
Local Organiser: Dr. MU Beg
(5 days)
(2)
2nd Technical Workshop on Ecotoxicological Impacts and Transboundary
Transport
Venue: Islamabad
(Pakistan)
Date : May 06-10, 2002
Local Organiser: Dr. MYH Khan
(5 days)
(3)
2nd Regional Team Meeting
Venue: Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Date : July 8-10, 2002
Local Organiser: Dr. GK Manuweera
(3 days)
(4)
Priority Setting Meeting
Venue: New Delhi (India)
Date : Sept. 16-19, 2002
Local Organiser: Dr. M. Sengupta
(4 days)
(5)
3rd Regional Team Meeting
Venue: Lucknow (India)
Date : October 28-30, 2002
Local Organiser: Dr. PK Seth
(3 days)
Technical Workshops/Meetings
PM will provide standard format for preparing the respective agenda for
the above events.
It was agreed that the participants for the workshops and priority setting
meeting should be selected carefully. Number of participants to workshops
including RTMs should be about 18 and to the priority setting meeting about 50
(16 Govt + Industry+NGOs+Key Acad. Inst.+ Key R&D Inst. + 10 observers).
In the workshops, base papers will be presented by the respective RT
member(s) followed by discussions by the participants.
In case of any problem realised by the team members in organising the
above workshops/meeting, RC suggested them to contact him back within 15
days.
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5. Terms of Reference for Regional Team
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the regional team were discussed at
length and endorsed as proposed. It was agreed upon that data/information
collection from all the member countries in the region will be the responsibility of
the RT members. However, help from various country experts and other focal
points in different countries may be taken.
The RC provided copies of the list of country experts to the RT members
and informed that names of experts have not yet been received for Bhutan,
Myanamar, UAE and Maldives despite several requests made to the concerned
embassies in India.
Further, in addition to the available list of the country experts, the PM
informed that additional experts could be identified by the RT members to their
convenience who they think will be able to contribute in data collection phase of
the project and PM will write to them regarding their selection as the country
experts for the respective countries. PM also advised the RT members that the
focal points as identified in various countries under the PTS or POPs progra-
mmes may also be contacted for necessary help during the data collection
phase.
6. Questionnaires
All the questionnaires were discussed at length. The UNEP Website on
PTS project was demonstrated on PC to all the RT members. All the
questionnaires (source, release, concentrations) were also demonstrated along
with the regional map for filling the data/information etc. Hard copies of all the
questionnaires and maps were provided to all the members. The RT members
examined the questionnaires carefully and the PM discussed each of them one
by one to clarify all the doubts and queries etc.
The RT Members were requested to fill the questionnaires in English only.
RC discussed about the budget allocation for the data collection phase
and organisation of technical workshops/meetings etc. He informed the RT
members to suggest for any additional requirements, if any, in the allocated
funds for the proposed activities.
PM made it clear that on the basis of authenticity of quality the RC will
finally decide on acceptance of date collected and forwarded by the RT members
for onward transmission to the UNEP-PTS for inclusion in report.
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7. Regional Report and Responsibilities
The responsibilities for writing the regional report as agreed upon are as
below ;
Regional Report and Responsibilities
(with deadlines for submission)
Preface
: Dr. Paul and Dr. PK Seth
(by First week of June, 2002)
1. Introduction
: Dr. PK Seth
(by First week of June, 2002)
2. Source Characterisation
: Dr. M Sengupta and Dr. GK Manuweera
(by end of Feb. 2002)
3. Environmental levels; Toxicological
: Dr. MU Beg and Dr. MYH Khan
& Ecotoxicological Characterisation (by end of Feb. 2002)
4. Assessment of Major Pathways of
: Dr. PK Seth
Contaminants Transport
(by 2nd week of April 2002)
5. Preliminary Assessment of the
: Dr. GK Manuweera and Dr. M Sengupta
Regional Capacity and Needs to
(by April 2002)
Manage PTS
6. Conclusions
: Regional Coordinator and RT Members
(by First week of June, 2002)
________________________________________________________________
Deadlines for submission are shown in parenthesis
It was agreed that the Regional Report should contain about 120 pages
and advised that chapters 2-5 should not exceed 20 page each.
PM agreed to provide necessary details on report format, such as spacing,
font size, paper settings etc.
8. Concluding Session
Both the PM and RC expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the RT
meeting and wished all success in completing the project for the region. The RC
thanked all the participants and wished all a safe journey back home. The
meeting adjourned at 1530 hours on August 02, 2001.