Improvement in Rural Sanitation

🧼 Sanitation in Rural India – Summary Notes

🔹 Definition & Importance

Sanitation refers to hygienic practices that prevent human contact with waste, reducing disease spread. It covers disposal of human excreta, solid/liquid waste, food hygiene, and environmental cleanliness. Poor sanitation affects health, education (especially for girls), productivity, and overall national development.

🔹 Challenges

• Open Defecation: Still prevalent in rural areas despite reduction.
• Health Hazards: Diarrhea, infections, and 1 in 10 rural deaths are linked to poor sanitation.
• Gender Issues: Women face safety and menstrual hygiene issues.
• Low Toilet Usage: Even existing toilets are underutilized.
• Economic Impact: Poor health reduces workforce productivity and growth.

🔹 Key Government Initiatives

1.     Central Rural Sanitation Programme (1986):
Aimed to provide privacy, dignity, and improve life quality in rural India.

2.     Total Sanitation Campaign (1999):
Goal to eliminate open defecation by 2012, promote toilet use, hygiene education, and cover schools.

3.     Nirmal Gram Puraskar (2003):
Award to villages achieving 100% sanitation coverage with prize money ₹50,000–₹5,00,000.

4.     Rural Sanitary Marts (RSMs):
Shops for sanitary materials and guidance on latrine construction.

🔹 Government Roles (Fig 5.5)

• National Level: Planning, funding, monitoring, policy making.
• State Level: Set standards, capacity building, resolve land issues.
• Urban Local Bodies: City plans, awareness, implementation, and monitoring.

🔹 Improvement Measures

1. Create Demand: Awareness, education, and communication campaigns.
2. Meet Demand: Provide infrastructure and material access.
3. Ensure Sustainability: Policy support, behavioral change.
4. NGO Support: Implementation, awareness, and facility setup.
5. District Models: Pilot projects to be scaled state-wide.
6. Water & Waste Management: Systematic access to HWT and solid waste disposal.
7. Public Participation: Citizens should demand accountability, maintain cleanliness.
8. Media & Youth Involvement: Use media, education, and youth action for awareness.

🔹 Key Focus Areas for Sanitation  

      Human excreta management

• Household wastewater reuse
• Stormwater drainage & sewage
• Solid waste recycling
• Industrial & hazardous waste disposal

📝 Conclusion:
Achieving rural sanitation requires collective action from government, NGOs, and communities. Transparent implementation, strong policies, education, and consistent monitoring are key to sustainable change and a healthier India.

Reference 

Malviya K, Sahoo S, Dasadiya D, Acharya V. Social and Preventive Pharmacy. 1st ed. Pee Vee (Regd.); 2021

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