stockpiles of obsolete pesticides, including dieldrin, chlorinated organomercury compounds and ddt, stored in a warehouse at the National Agricultural Research Council, Kathmandu, are posing a danger to the health of the residents, workers and livestock in the area.

The pesticides were exported to the country by multinationals such as Bayer, Sumitomo, Sandoz, Shell, Rhone Poulenc, Du Pont, Union Carbide (Dow) and Monsanto. These pesticides were either banned or abandoned.

Although the Royal Nepalese Government has asked for help from Bayer to dispose of the pesticides, the company has declined any support.

Activists from India, Germany and the uk, and Nepalese agriculturalists are clearing the warehouse of the toxics wearing protection gear and masks.