During the Phase I implementation, a network of policymakers and experts was established. And based on the gaps identified in the baseline studies, each country prepared a national action plan to deal with the air pollution issue in long-term. It also deals with capacity building for establishing and maintaining monitoring stations and analyzing the data. From the baseline information, it appears that even for measuring and analysing air pollution from local sources of air pollution, infrastructure is lacking in countries of the region.

Therefore, after the completion of baseline studies and national action plan, a monitoring committee was established for strengthening the monitoring capacities which was based on the methodologies and standards at the national level (harmonized to the extent possible in the sub-region) would be the major task to be achieved during the phase II implementation.

National Implementing Agencies

Now a group of experts is visiting all the NIA in participating countries to discuss the technical issue on their propose manual and monitoring stations and will develop a technical manual for establishing/strengthening the monitoring network during Phase II.

Based on the baseline studies, nation action plan and the discussions with the NIAs, this committee will draft a “Manual of Guidelines for Strengthening the Monitoring Network in South Asia”.