by Teresa Bergen
If you live in developed parts of the world, beware, because this article is going to talk about two things that might make you say ew: the problem of open defecation and the use of human waste as fertilizer. Many people in the world have good reason to address both of these issues. And nonprofit World Neighbors is simultaneously addressing both in rural communities in Bihar, India.
Open defecation means number two happening outside a
toilet. In fields, waterways, bushes, forests streets, wherever. The countries where this happens most are India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ethiopia. People unaccustomed to this state of affairs might think the problem is a lack of toilets. While this is partly to blame, other factors are also at work.
The Indian government has worked hard to make life more sanitary, notably by building more than 95 million toilets around the country. After this accomplishment, the country declared itself Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2019. But a lot of people aren’t toilet fans.
The international development organization World Neighbors is helping people in rural communities of the Madhubani District in Bihar solve the problem of contamination from open defecation, and turning dangerous waste into usable fertilizer. Bihar is a northeast Indian state that borders Nepal.
World Neighbors’ project included 2,500 households in 20 rural communities. The organization focused on water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition and reproductive health in order to reduce diseases and raise living standards. After the intervention, three of the villages involved attained ODF status from their village councils. Dalits, a.k.a. untouchables, lived in 12 of the communities and had substandard water, sanitation and hygiene practices.
Introducing the EcoSan toilet
EcoSan toilets are dry toilets built on raised platforms with separate concrete chambers below.
“After defecating, one needs to sprinkle a handful of ash and close the lid,” said World Neighbors. “No flushing is required. There are separate outlets for urine and washing so no water enters the excreta chamber.”
This dry approach cuts down on odors and insect breeding and accelerates decomposition. A household uses one pan and chamber for up to six months. When it’s full, they seal it and use the second chamber. By the time they’ve filled chamber two, chamber one’s contents have turned into odorless compost suitable for fertilizer. Household members mix water with the urine collected in a separate container for an additional fertilizer. The cost of each EcoSan toilet is between $250 and $375, depending on location and transportation costs.
For more visit https://inhabitat.com/eco-toilet-in-india-helps-farmers-make-their-own-fertilizer/
