SAARC Projects

1. Agriculture (TC01)

Agriculture was among the original five areas identified for fostering regional cooperation. The first meeting of TC01 was held in 1983. Subsequently, Forestry was also included in the work of the Technical Committee. TC01 was instrumental in the setting up of SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC) at Dhaka in 1988 - the first SAARC regional institution.

Member states have been exchanging Germplasm, Breeding Materials on Livestock and Fishery in accordance with the quarantine regulations in force in their respective countries. Prototypes of Farmtools and Equipment have been exchanged for trial and adaptation. Activities for Improved Livestock through Exchange of Animals, Frozen Semen and Vaccine have also been undertaken. The responsibility of compiling lists of institutions and disciplines capable of offering training in member countries has been entrusted to SAIC. Rice and Wheat-breeding Programmes for enhancing productivity have been conducted while Multilocation trials for various crops are being undertaken.

Regular meetings of Counterpart Scientists is a very important feature of the Committee's programmes. The list of Counterpart Scientists in the twelve agreed areas of crops and disciplines have been finalized for networking. These are : Rice (Millet); Wheat; Oilseeds; Horticulture (Potato) Vegetables and Fruits; Fisheries; Forestry; Transfer of Technology; Livestock (Animal Health and Production); Farm Machinery and Implements; Post Harvest Technology; Agriculture Economics & Policies and Soils. Progress has been made towards establishing a network on Amelioration of Problem Soils.

The programme for the 1990s focuses on Genetic Engineering and Bio-Technology (for crop and livestock improvement, agricultural and horticultural development, embryo transfer technology for livestock and conservation of endangered germplasm); Homestead Vegetable Production; Food Availability and Nutritional Balance; Data Base on Technology and Training facilities in agricultural science within the SAARC countries; and meeting of the Expert Group on Crop Diseases. Two important project proposals namely

1. Promotion of the "Bio-Villages, and
2. Reaching the Million - Training of Farmers and Farm Women by 2000 A.D. have recently been completed and future course of action on these proposals is underway.

2. Communications (TC02)

TC on Telecommunications and TC on Postal Services both established in 1983 which had hitherto functioned separately were amalgamated into a single TC on Communications with effect from 1993.

With a view to bringing about an over-all improvement in the postal services in the region, the work programme in this sector included training, seminars, workshops study tours etc.

Training programmes were held for First and Middle Level Officers and for Trainers as well as in Philately, International Postal Services, International Mail Accounting and Routing, Postal Management Services and Post Office Savings Banks. Seminars / Workshops were organized on Postal Operation and future challenges, Mechanization of Postal Operations, Agency functions, Financial Services, Caring for Customer, Expedited Mail Service ( EMS), Circulation System of EMS and Postal Marketing.

Study tours on Agency Services, Safety and Security of Postal Articles, Postal Services in Hilly or Rural Areas and New Mail and Financial Service in Pakistan were undertaken to gain first-hand knowledge of problems and plans for improvement of postal services.

Since 1985, Letter Writing Competitions have been held annually. Studies had been undertaken on Productivity Measurement Techniques applied in postal operations, Postal Delays in SAARC region, Integration of Postal Services with rural development and Concessional Mail Tariff and Mail Transmission. Other activities undertaken include issuance of commemorative stamps, postage stamp displays and philatelic exhibitions.

Within the overall objective of providing telecommunication services to majority of the rural population by the year 2000, TC02 has focused on efforts to promote technological and human resource development and management. There has been substantial progress in implementing the recommendations for the establishment of ISD, automatic telex, and bureaufax facilities, improvement of inter-country links, introduction of common collection charges and media independent tariff, adoption of SDR as common accounting unit and off-peak period tariff.

Short-term activities in Telecommunications include Seminars/Workshops on Data Transmission, Digital Switching, Network Management, Operations, Software maintenance, Trends in External Plants practice, Adoption of new technologies in rural telecommunication system, Transition from analogue to digital transmission, improvement of quality services in telecommunications, IDR satellite technology and improvement of rural telecommunications.

Training courses have also been held on new technologies for maintenance of switching systems, software development, financial management, packet switch data network and NEAX 61.

3. Education, Culture and Sports (TC03)

TC on Education (established in 1989) and TC on Sports, Arts and Culture (established in 1983) were amalgamated into a single TC on Education and Culture with effect from 1993. TC03 was renamed in 1995 as TC on Education, Culture and Sports.

The priority themes identified for cooperation in the field of Education are Women and Education; Universal Primary Education; Literacy, Post Literacy and Continuing Education; Educational Research; Science and Technical Education, Education for the Underserved Areas and Distance Education. The nominations of Nodal Agencies for each of the priority themes have been completed and appropriate Action Plans are being prepared.

Short-term activities in the field of Education include, Expert Group Meetings; Workshops/Seminars on the priority themes; Modernization of Curriculum; Environmental Education including Population Education; Planning and Management of Education, Teacher Training, Higher Education and Book Production and Marketing.

TC03 is also engaged in the improvement and expansion of the SAARC Chairs, Fellowships and Scholarships Scheme. Nodal Points for networking arrangement for sharing information on Mass Literacy Programmes have been identified. The modalities and operational framework for this purpose are being prepared.

Short term activities in the field of Culture include six South Asian Archaeological Congresses; one History Conference; Workshops / Training / Seminars on Conservation of Wall Paintings, Documentation of Musical and Oral Traditions, Archives and Photographic Exhibitions of Monuments, National Heritage and an Expert Group Meeting on Preservation of Monuments and Archival Materials. In the field of Arts and Exhibition of Handicrafts; Workshops on Sea Based Crafts and Artisans at Work; and SAARC Painters Camp have been held.

As part of the regional cooperation activities in Sports, Coaching Camps / Clinics have been conducted in Table Tennis, Squash, Hockey, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics and Volleyball. Training of Experts in Sparktaid has been conducted. Basketball and Football Tournaments and SAARC Marathons have been organized.

4. Environment (TC04)

The Third SAARC Summit ( Kathmandu, 1987) decided to commission a study on "Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters and the Protection and Preservation of the Environment". National Studies were undertaken and subsequently consolidated into a Regional Study, which was approved by the Sixth SAARC Summit ( Colombo, 1991).

The recommendations of the above Regional Study were considered by the Committee on Environment (February 1992), which identified, for immediate action, measures for strengthening the environment management infrastructure; programmes on environmentally sound land and water use planning; research and action programme on mountain development in the Himalayan Region; coastal zone management programme; a SAARC forestry and watershed programme; programme on energy and environment; pollution control and hazardous waste management programme; a SAARC cooperative programme for biodiversity management; peoples participation in resource management; information exchange on low cost and environmentally sound habitat technologies; establishment of a SAARC relief and assistance mechanism for disaster and regional cooperation on the development of modern disaster warning systems.

A special session of the Committee on Environment (November 1992) met to evolve specific programme activities and modalities to implement the above measures.

The Fourth SAARC Summit ( Islamabad, 1988) decided that a joint study be undertaken on "Greenhouse Effect and its Impact on the Region". National Studies prepared by member states were consolidated into a regional study, which was approved by the Seventh SAARC Summit ( Dhaka, 1993).

The Committee on Environment was designated as the Technical Committee on Environment and included within its purview, "Greenhouse Effect and its Impact on the Region". It began functioning from January 1, 1993.

TC04 has identified measures for immediate action from among the recommendations and decided on a number of modalities for their implementation. These include, improving climate monitoring capability through networking arrangement and through SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC); developing climate change and sea-level rise scenario through country specific studies and sharing of information data in this respect; making available to member states expertise on climate research and monitoring Greenhouse Gases emission; identification of training and research institutions and ongoing programmes; exchange of information and data; exchange of experience on strategies for developing, mitigating and adaptive responses to climate change.

TC04 also covers topics such as Approaches to Environmental Legislations, Regulations and Standards in SAARC countries; Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands; Training Course on Wetlands Assessment and Management; Workshop on Alternate/Renewable Energy and Workshop of SAARC National Experts on Climate Change. The urgent need to establish a networking approach through identified nodal points/institutions has also been stressed.

A SAARC Environment Ministers Conference was held in New Delhi in April 1992 to evolve a joint position on the issues related to the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). SAARC also presented a common position paper to the Fourth World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction (Yokohama, May 1994).

TCs on Environment and Meteorology will be merged and designated as TC on Environment and Meteorology with effect from 1 January 1996.

5. Health and Population Activities (TC05)

Health and Population Activities was one of the original five areas of cooperation identified by member states. The First Meeting of TC05 was held in 1984.

The primary focus of TC05 has been on children, population welfare and policy, maternal and child health, primary health care, disabled and handicapped persons, control and eradication of major diseases in the region such as malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis, diarrhea diseases, rabies, AIDS, and iodine deficiency disorder.

Important activities undertaken by TC05 include the setting up of the SAARC Tuberculosis Centre ( STC), in Kathmandu in 1992, devising a standard Format for preparing the Annual Review of the Situation of Children in the SAARC region; establishment of networking arrangements for training, research and eradication of malaria and regional approach for combating major diseases in the region. A Directory of training programmes in six priority areas, i.e. malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, diarrhoeal diseases, human rabies and maternal and child health have been prepared and circulated. In addition, several status papers on important subjects relating to health have been circulated among member states.

The Second SAARC Summit ( Bangalore, 1986) decided that the survival, protection and development of Children should be given highest priority and directed that annual reviews be undertaken on the situation of children in SAARC countries. Such annual reviews for the years 1993 and 1994 have been completed by TC05 based on annual country reports submitted by member states. These annual reviews have indicated, inter-alia, reduction of infant mortality and significant progress in the immunization programme for children in the region.

TC05 will be renamed as TC on Health, Population Activities and Child Welfare with effect from 1 January 1996.

6. Meteorology (TC06)

Meteorology was also one of the five areas of cooperation initially identified by member states. The first meeting of TC06 was held in 1984. Since its inception, the Committee has been involved in organizing seminars/workshops in areas such as Joint Inter-Comparison of Barometers, Meteorological Instruments, Agricultural Meteorology, Numerical Weather Prediction, Crop-Weather relationship and Crop-Yield Forecast, Long Range Weather Forecasting, Radar Meteorology etc. Training programmes have been conducted on Meteorological Tele-communications, Management and Establishment of National Data Centers, Monsoon Forecasting etc. State-of-the-art Reports on Western Disturbances, Tropical Cyclones including Prediction of Recurvature, Thunder Storms, Long Range Forecasting of Monsoon Rain, Short Range Prediction of Monsoon and Norwesters, Tornadoes and Water Sprouts, have been completed. Expert panels have been convened on specialized fields such as Agro-meteorology; Climatology and Data Exchange; and Instrumentation.

An Annual Regional Award is given to a young scientist or a group of scientists for a research paper on meteorological topics to encourage research in the field of Meteorology. Another Award has been introduced since 1995 for senior scientists to encourage research work in the field of Meteorology.

The programmes for 1990s identified by the Committee include, the establishment of National Data Centers, conducting studies on Meteorological aspects of Environment Pollution, establishment of Port Meteorological Offices for obtaining Data from Ocean areas. TC06 has also identified long-term measures, such as creation of a Regional Data Bank, Organization of Research Flight Facilities for probing cyclones, networking for Drifting and Anchored Buoys in Oceanic Regions, Environmental Pollution Monitoring stations, Preparation of Atlases of Meteorological Parameters and Familiarization with Computer Technology as needed for meteorological research, including visits to computer centers and cost of consumable.

TCs on Meteorology and Environment will be merged and designated as TC on Environment and Meteorology with effect from 1 January 1996.

7. Prevention of Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse (TC07)

Since its establishment in 1987, TC07 has implemented a number of programmes in law enforcement, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation as essential elements of a coordinated regional strategy in combating drug trafficking and drug abuse. It contributed significantly towards the finalization of the SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in November 1990, which came into force in September 1993 upon its ratification by all member states.

Cooperation among Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and Officers is being developed through short-term activities such as Seminars and Training Courses. Nodal Agencies in member states have been nominated to exchange information and intelligence on drug offences. The SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD) has been established in Colombo to collate, analyze and disseminate information on drug offences. Efforts are afoot for further strengthening SDOMD.

In the field of demand reduction, short-term activities such as workshops/ seminars held so far have focused on the role of media in drug abuse prevention, community mobilization against drug abuse, preventive education, school curriculum development, treatment and relapse prevention and exchange of information on indigenous and innovative methods of treatment. A networking arrangement among Nodal Institutions in drug abuse prevention is being established.

Meetings of selected NGOs involved in Drug Abuse Prevention have been held. A Directory of such Organizations has been compiled in order to promote greater interaction among them. The Colombo Plan Bureau's Project Proposal and the establishment of working relations between SAARC and the Colombo Plan Bureau were approved by the Twentieth Session of the Standing Committee. This will promote and encourage cooperation among NGOs in SAARC countries involved in anti-narcotics activities.

Efforts have been directed at promoting SAARC member states' accession to the relevant UN Conventions, conclusion of Regional and Drug Convention and harmonization and consolidation of national drug laws. A Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between SAARC and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) has been signed.

8. Rural Development (TC08)

Rural Development is one of the five original areas identified for cooperation under the IPA. The first meeting of the Committee was held in 1984. Specific activities taken up by the Technical Committee include, exchange of information and literature among member states on issues relating to rural development, preparation of research studies on selected topics, compilation of lists of experts, training institutes, and institutions involved in transfer of appropriate technology in member states, with a view to exchanging expertise and sharing training facilities within the region.

Several workshops/seminars and training courses covering practically all aspects of rural development including regional planning, poverty focused development, rural energy, design of agricultural projects, local level planning, inter-country comparisons, appropriate technology, disaster management, rural child development, rural sociology, peoples participation, rural water supply, employment generation, social forestry, rural communication and development of agricultural markets have been conducted in member states under the TC08.

Priority areas identified by TC08 for the 1990s for the selection of well identified, target-oriented and time bound programmes are Poverty Alleviation, Employment, Human Resource Development and Organization of Rural Poor, Women in Development, Sustainable Rural Development, Environment and Technology transfer.

The decision to establish a Shelter Information Network "SHELTERNET" has been followed up by an Expert Group meeting which has defined its objectives and prepared detailed financial cost-estimates as well as operational modalities for final approval.

The Committee has also been entrusted with the work relating to the SAARC Youth Volunteers Programme (SYVOP) since November 1989.

9. Science and Technology (TC09)

Since its establishment in 1983, TC09 has undertaken a wide variety of programmes which include short-term activities such as Seminars/Workshops, Training Programmes, Joint Research Projects, preparation of State-of-the-art Reports and compilation of Directories.

Seminars/Workshops/ Meetings of Experts held so far were on: Post Harvest and Food Technology; Renewable Energy Resources; Photovoltaic; Pesticides; Instrumentation, Maintenance and Calibration, Cultivation and Processing of Medicine and Aromatic Plants; Delivery System of Improved Stoves for Rural Users; Low Cost Housing Technology Diffusion in Rural Areas; Treatment of Drinking Water in Rural and Urban areas; Science Policy; Low Cost Scientific Educational Equipment; Bio-Fertilizer Technology; Bio-Mass Gasification; Recycling of Waste Water and Development of Technologies for Pollution Control; Technology Information and its Linkages; Biological Control of Plant Pests; Immunodiagnostics; Ore Benefaction; Energy Modeling Techniques; Solar Thermal Technology; Technological Aspects of Low Cost Housing; Examination of Operational System of Rural Electrification Cooperative; and Short Course on Technology Assessment and Technology Diffusion.

Training Programmes have also been held for Scientists and Technologists on Tannery Waste Management, Low Cost Housing, Development of Prawn Hatcheries, Electronics and Molecular Biology. In addition, Joint Research Projects on Design and Manufacture of Food Processing Equipment and Appropriate Post Harvest Food Technology for Perishable Items have been carried out.

State-of-the-art Reports have been completed on Bio-Gas; Mineral Resources Exploration; Producer Gas; Application of Remote Sensing Techniques; and Use of Organic Fertilizers. The Report currently under preparation include Building Materials and Technologies; Integrated Management of Tannery Waste; Selected Rural Technologies; Food Processing Technologies and Handicrafts; Local Electronic Products in the SAARC Region; and Bio-technology.

Directories are being prepared on Specialized Analytical Instrumentation Facilities and Techniques; and Process Engineering/Pilot Plant Facilities in Agro Food Processing.

Networking Arrangements are being established in the fields of Bio-technology and Genetic Engineering, Energy Modeling Techniques, Technology Information and Low Cost Housing and Building Technologies.

10. Tourism (TC10)

TC10 was established in 1991 to promote cooperation in the field of tourism in the region. At its first meeting held in Colombo in October 1991, the Committee decided on an Action Plan on Tourism to promote cooperation in the areas such as training programmes, exchange of information, joint promotion, joint venture investment, intraregional tourism etc. It also reviewed progress on the SAARC Scheme for Promotion of Organized Tourism. These topics have formed an integral part of the agenda of the five Meetings of this Committee which have been held so far.

Under the purview of TC10, member countries have exchanged information on training facilities existing in the region and a number of slots for providing training in the field of tourism and hotel management were offered. TC10 has decided upon steps to produce joint tourism brochure, SAARC Travel Guide and joint-production of SAARC tourism promotional film on the theme "A Unique Holiday with Diversity: From Top of the World to the Sunny beaches". Activities such as familiarization tours and Food Festival in member states were also identified. Steps were also taken to coordinate the participation of SAARC member states in international tourism fairs. Emphasis is also being placed on the importance of early launching of the SAARC Scheme for Promotion of Organized Tourism.

11. Transport (TC11)

In recognition of the importance of the transport sector, TC11 was set up in 1983. The work of the Technical Committee covers three major segments of transport, i.e. land transport, divided into roadways and railways; sea transport sub-divided into inland waterways and shipping; and air transport.

The activities of TC11 cover exchange of data and information, preparation of status papers, compilation of data-base and directories of consultancy centers for transport sector. Seminars and Workshops have covered areas such as Material and Cost of Road Construction, Maintenance of Roads, Rural Roads, Road transportation and safety; Containerization for Railways, Urban transportation, Inland Water Transport, Maritime Transport etc.

Training Courses have included Corporate Planning for Railway sector, Highway and Bridge Engineering. A Compendia of Information on Roads in the SAARC region has been completed and similarly data on Railway Transport has been compiled. Two important Directories - one on Centers of Excellence and the other on Consultants and Experts in the field of transport are being prepared. An important Study on "In-depth examination of Transport Infrastructure and Transit Facilities so as to come up with viable proposals for Improvement" has recently been completed.

The activities held under the Transport Sector, so far, have helped in fostering better cooperation among member countries and resulted in the dissemination and exchange of data, expertise, information and experiences.

The work programme for the 1990s covers a wide range of issues related to rail, sea and air transportation. Recently, four new areas of cooperation in the Transport Sector have been identified by the Committee: Transport Safety, Rural Transport, Environmental Aspects, and Energy Conservation. Two new proposals: "Establishing Joint Venture Operations to provide Container Liner Shipping Services for Long Haul Trade Routes" and "Consultancy/Contracting Joint Ventures in the Transport Sector in the SAARC Region" are also being considered by the Technical Committee.

Transport is a vital area in providing access to products to markets and opening up new areas of productivity. Especially now with the signing of Agreement on SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) this sector has even a more crucial role to play in intra-SAARC trade.

12. Women in Development (TC12)

Women in Development was included as an area of cooperation under the IPA in 1986. Specific issues taken up by TC12 include, preparation of a Regional Plan of Action for Women, effective dissemination of technical information relating to women in development generated by member states, preparation of Guide Books on Women in Development by member states etc. SAARC Women's Journals on specific themes relating to women in development have been published to coincide with important events like SAARC Summits.

On the recommendation of the Committee, 1990 was designated as the "SAARC Year of the Girl-Child" and subsequently 1991-2000 A.D. declared as the "SAARC Decade of the Girl-Child". A SAARC Plan of Action has been drawn up to observe the decade in order to highlight the gender disparities in the region and to promote the welfare of the Girl-Child. Member states are now in the process of implementing the Plan of Action. In this connection SAARC would be conducting a comprehensive mid-decade review for presentation to the Ninth SAARC Summit.

SAARC has recognized the serious threat faced by certain groups of Girl Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances (GCEDC) and decided that an urgent appraisal of the situation of these children be undertaken and presented to the Ninth SAARC Summit.

Several short-term activities like seminars, workshops and training courses have been held in the areas of women in law, women and environment, women's education and training, women's employment, women in agriculture and extension etc. Several activities related to different aspects of the Girl-Child have also been held under the Committee. Exhibitions on Handicrafts and Design by Women have also been organized by member states.

A Women's Cell has been established in the SAARC Secretariat to act as a Data Bank and a store house of information on Women in Development in the region. It will also act as a forum for coordination among member states and other TCs.

A SAARC collective position on issues before the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in September 1995 had been formulated and a "SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Women: Towards the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing" has been held and the Dhaka Resolution adopted at the meeting provided additional input from SAARC Countries to the Beijing Conference.

Girl representatives present the Girl-Child's Appeal to the Heads of State or Government during the Fifth SAARC Summit (Male', November 1990)