Source - Asia and Pacific

India, Andhra Pradesh: stream polluted by world’s highest levels of drugs

09 Feb 09

A team of researchers led by Joakim Larsson of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has discovered that a stream in Patancheru, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, contains the world's highest levels of drugs.

Pakistan: changing behaviour to stop open defecation

19 Jan 09

1,500 activists have been trained in Pakistan, as part of the Community-Led Total Sanitation campaign, to try and persuade people to stop the practice of open defecation. Although the majority of the activists are men, much of their success is due to the women behind them.

India: national survey shows that 70% of schools in seven states have no toilets

19 Jan 09

A national survey in India has revealed that 70% of elementary schools in seven states are without toilet facilities, while 20% of schools in over 10 states have no drinking water.

India, Andhra Pradesh: lowest number of working toilets

19 Jan 09

The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has the lowest number of working toilets in the country. This is despite the state heading the list of states constructing the most toilets.

South Asia: SACOSAN-III recognises sanitation and safe drinking water as a basic right

25 Nov 08

In its final declaration, the Third Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN-III), which ended in New Delhi, India, on 21 November 2008, recognised access to sanitation and safe drinking water as a basic right.

Pakistan: Ministry of Environment confident of achieving targets for International Year of Sanitation

29 Oct 08

The Pakistani Ministry of Environment is confident that it will achieve the targets set for the 2008 International Year of Sanitation. With most prevailing diseases being caused by poor hygiene and sanitation practices, reaching the government's targets is crucial.