Chizokho Vero
Kohima | September 28
The technology of ‘Sulabh’ (pour–flush toilet system) and the sanitation movement under the Sulabh International Social Service Organization (SISSO) of New Delhi is widely adopted by several countries. It is also expected to make a big wave soon in Nagaland too.
In interactions with SISSO vice president Anita Jha here at Hotel Japfu, several NGOs in Nagaland dealing with health and sanitation issues, have shown interest in the concept and desired to see that it is adopted here as well. The interaction between SISSO and NGOs including media persons was led by Kevisekho Kruse, executive director of CCDU (PHED). Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) advisor Y Chuba said the KMC is in the process of constructing some public toilets in Kohima town. Showing interest in adopting Sulabh technology pertaining to public toilets in Nagaland too, Chuba queried if the SISSO can come forward for the purpose.
Jha assured that SISSO can work for that purpose but land and the cost of construction for public toilets have to be attended to by the government while the SISSO will look at the segment of maintenance.
Jha said, if interested Nagaland can get in touch with branch offices in Assam and Kolkatta as ‘there is success everywhere why not in Nagaland too.’ On being queried how SISSO can contribute towards sanitation in Nagaland, Jha asserted that the mindset of the people needs to be changed and the NGOs have to play a major role.
Following the rapid adoption of the ‘Sulabh technology’ of pour–flush toilet system, more than 240 towns have been freed from scavenging and consequently, 60,000 scavengers have been resettled. It was possible by converting over one million bucket-latrine into Sulabh toilets.
Sulabh has built over 7,500 community toilets with bath, laundry and urinal facilities, operated on a ‘pay-and-use’ basic.
Sulabh is now operating in 27 states and 5 union territories with over 50,000 trained and experienced workers. The ‘pay-and-use’ system ensures self-sustainability without any burden on the public exchequer or local bodies. Sulabh also set up a number of vocational training institutes throughout the country. The idea is to impart and enable the weaker sections of the society a new means of livelihood, alleviate poverty and bring them into the mainstream.
According to available sources, Sulabh technology is a very simple devise. It consists of two pits with sealed covers and a water-seal. Both the pits are used alternatively. After one pit fills, waste is diverted into the second pit, keeping the first pit in a rest period for 2 years, during which excreta converts to solid, odorless, pathogens-free manure. It can be dug out easily by the beneficiary and used as manure.
This technology does not require manual cleaning of human excreta. This toilet was named Sulabh Shauchalaya, which could be adopted in different hydro-geological conditions with some precaution. The two-pit pour-flush toilet was successfully introduced in urban areas. It was found to be a safe and hygienic system for disposal of human waste in the absence of sewers and septic tanks.
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak is the founder of SISSO, a pioneering non-governmental organization in the field of sanitation in India. Sulabh is convinced that only cooperation between the government and NGOs can make the sanitation programme a success.
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