Progress: Review of existing policies

The results of the review can be summarised as follows: pressures on river water quality occur in all the countries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, but with varying degrees of intensity. River waters in urban centres have reached the extent. They have almost converted into sewage channels. In addition a sufficient pollution control is lacking in most of the countries, while this problem is not serious in the case of Bhutan.

Faecal contamination is a major source of pollution in some urban centres and almost all rural areas. Likewise, industrial effluents have become a major source of pollution in and around the city centres. Use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides for agricultural production has also become a non-point source of pollution. Salinity intrusion as pollution of water is associated only with countries having coastal lines, while it does not pose any problem to land-locked countries.

»  Download/view synthesis report: Policies, Pressures & Impact (pdf, 380 KB)

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