3.1. Current Monitoring Network
The NECS is responsible for the overall management of the environment. Due to the lack of an independent pollution control bureau NECS has been coordinating with other agencies in implementing programs to reduce air pollution. RSTA is responsible for the registration of vehicles, fitness tests, and will be testing emission levels this year. The City Corporations also take care of the urban environment. The Forestry Services Division is responsible for forestland and the preservation and maintenance of the country’s biodiversity. The Ministry of Trade and Industry implements industrial pollution abatement programs and promotes the use of efficient stoves in urban and rural areas. The Division of Health is responsible for health and sanitation.
These agencies are concerned about specific environmental issues such as deforestation, waste production, water and sanitation. Of late air pollution, especially urban air pollution, has become a concern and there is an urgent need to: a) identify an agency that will be responsible for monitoring air pollution; and b) to establish the necessary infrastructure to facilitate this task.
3.2. Present location of monitoring stations
Except for data collection on vehicle emissions, which is ongoing, Bhutan does not have any other air pollution monitoring station. The new vehicle emission data collection centers will be located in major towns such as Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jhongkhar.
3.3. Data Availability
Data on air pollution is scarce in Bhutan. In May 2000 NECS and RSTA will collect data on vehicle emissions during vehicle fitness tests. The NECS, in collaboration with MTI, is also in the process of developing a mechanism to collect industrial emission data.
3.4. Future Development of Monitoring Networks
To facilitate the task of the agency identified to monitor air pollution in Bhutan it is proposed that a monitoring network with the necessary equipment be established. The monitoring network will collect data based on a format developed by the agency identified. It is also proposed that different sectors form part of the network in order to address different sources of air pollution and to make optimum use of human resources.
Table 3: Proposed air pollution monitoring network and agencies.
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| 1 | Khangma RNR Centre, Ministry of Agriculture |
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| 2 | Bajo RNR Centre, Ministry of Agriculture |
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| 3 | Yusipang RNR centre, Ministry of Agriculture |
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| 4 | Sherubtse College, Ministry of Education |
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| 5 | National Environment Commission Secretariat |
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| 6 | Ministry of Trade & Industry |
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| 7 | Meteorology Division, Ministry of Trade & Industry |
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| 8 | Regional Trade Offices, Ministry of Trade & Industry |
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| 9 | RSTA Thimphu Head office |
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| 10 | RSTA Regional Offices |
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| 11 | Bhutan Polytechnics Institutes (P/ling &S/Jhongkhar) |
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| Total number of proposed monitoring facilities |
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Out of 21 identified monitoring stations 5 vehicle emission stations
will be established by May 2000 by RSTA.