| Clean
Air Network Nepal (CANN ): A Brief Introduction
Clean Air Network Nepal (CANN), a network
of organizations and professionals involved in air quality
management in Nepal , was formed in 2004. The goal of
CANN is to increase the ability of professionals and
other interested stakeholders to effectively address
the problems of air pollution in Nepal by:
• Sharing
knowledge and experiences on air quality
management (AQM) on a regular basis
• Providing inputs to improve
policies, plans and programmes for AQM in Nepal
• Organizing activities to raise
awareness on air quality related issues
• Building local capacity on AQM
• Promoting integrated air quality
management
Since its establishment, CANN has setup
a secretariat at Clean Energy Nepal (CEN), a non-government
organization actively involved in air quality management
and also formed a core group. As of 2007, CANN had over
90 members including 35 organizational members and a
fairly active discussion group on list serves.
Major Activities
1. Knowledge Management
Active
List serve – CANN is moderating CANN
list serve as a forum where members can interact with
one another, learn more about air pollution, and share
experiences.
Regular
flow of information through the internet
– CANN is making information on air quality management
in Nepal available to anyone interested through the
Clean Energy Nepal website ( www.cen.org.np
) and CAI-Asia website ( www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia
).
Update
Air Quality Management Information Database for Nepal
– CANN is regularly collecting, reviewing
and updating database on AQM in Nepal .
Strengthen
CANN Secretariat with a resource center and staff
– A small resource center with relevant reports and
information database on air quality management has been
established within the secretariat.
Clean
air awareness campaign – In order to
raise awareness among school children, youths and local
people on air quality related issues, CANN is organizing
a series of programmes among school children and youths
in Kathmandu and encourage them to practice environment-friendly
behavior. These include presentation series, interaction
programs, field visits, training and workshop.
AQ
Seminar Series – These seminars may have
local or international experts presenting their research
findings on air quality related topics or they may be
discussion sessions on issues that are of interest to
stakeholders in air quality management.
2. Capacity Building
Support
AQ related research of students – CANN
supports research on relevant air quality related topics
by providing technical and financial support to students
involved in thesis work in universities in Nepal on
such topics.
Training
and technical support to media – CANN
organizes a training programme on air quality for journalists
and provide follow up technical assistance. This will
encourage and help local journalists report on air quality
related issues.
3. Policy
Support and Advocacy
• Maintain close links with Ministry
of Environment, Science and Technology (MoEST) and other
stakeholders
• Publication of Annual report
and papers on various topics to support advocacy
• Advocacy for Zero Emission Vehicles
in Nepal
• Advocacy for declaring Vehicle
free Zone in Pocket areas of Valley
• Assist
in Improving Inspection and Maintenance System
• Networking through National
& International Conferences
4. Research
• Case Study on Air Quality Management
in Kathmandu 's Brick Industry
• Health Impact of Air Pollution
• Emission Inventory
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