the peri-urban area of delwara, rajasthan has 700 households with nearly 28 castes and religions
TRANSCRIPT
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- The peri-urban area of Delwara, Rajasthan has 700 households with nearly 28 castes and religions.
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- All the congestion and density of an urban area; with none of the civic facilities.
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- Sewage and garbage collection were non-existent; and open defecation was the common practice.
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- Yet the rapid build-up left little open space for such activities; putting women especially in a very difficult position.
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- Daily water needs were fulfilled by the local baoli which itself was quite unclean
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- and it was an arduous task fetching the water from this distance.
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- In light of these issues, mapping activities were done with the community; and a Nagrik Vikas Manch (citizens forum) was formed.
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- This included representatives from all Mohallas in the community; as well as PRI members.
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- Actions was taken to clean up the local water body
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- renovate the traditional baolis & kunds
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- and build community water tanks.
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- This has eased water access problems considerably!
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- Youth clubs, womens clubs and ASHA workers were all involved in awareness raising activities on general hygiene.
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- The critical need for and basic usage of toilets was a main topic of discussion.
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- Responsibility and initiative for the construction of 89 toilets in the area was taken by members of the community.
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- The material and technical expertise was provided by Seva Mandir
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- but many households extended or modified according to their needs.
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- A community septic tank accompanied the group of toilets in Meghwal Mohalla; where the hilly terrain and limited land made individual tanks unfeasible.
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- In the hilltop mohalla of Bhil Bhasti, a Decentralised Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) was built. This uses flows based on gravity and does not require any electric or mechanical source of power.
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- The system treats water through three main processes: collection and settling of slurry; anaerobic baffled reactor; and gravel and plant filters.
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- The only main maintenance required is when the settler gets filled with slurry; which is meant to happen only after 10-12 years of usage.
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- The water coming out of the plant can be used for irrigation purposes.
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- The Nagrik Vikas Manch has also established a new formal cleaning system
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- with the appointment of Arogya Mitra: daily village cleaners.
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- This has helped regularise these cleaners income; integrate them better into the community; and instill a value for the critical work they do.
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- The system has been made sustainable with contributions from each family every month for drinking water, sanitation and solid waste management.
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- With the manch providing a platform to discuss issues and find local solutions; this self-governance can be taken further for an even cleaner and more sanitary Delwara!
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- Produced for: Plan India Produced by: Safer World Communications, www.saferworld.in Photographs: Sarika Gulati and Meghna Chawla