The peri-urban area of Delwara, Rajasthan has 700 households
with nearly 28 castes and religions.
Slide 3
All the congestion and density of an urban area; with none of
the civic facilities.
Slide 4
Sewage and garbage collection were non-existent; and open
defecation was the common practice.
Slide 5
Yet the rapid build-up left little open space for such
activities; putting women especially in a very difficult
position.
Slide 6
Daily water needs were fulfilled by the local baoli which
itself was quite unclean
Slide 7
and it was an arduous task fetching the water from this
distance.
Slide 8
In light of these issues, mapping activities were done with the
community; and a Nagrik Vikas Manch (citizens forum) was
formed.
Slide 9
This included representatives from all Mohallas in the
community; as well as PRI members.
Slide 10
Actions was taken to clean up the local water body
Slide 11
renovate the traditional baolis & kunds
Slide 12
and build community water tanks.
Slide 13
This has eased water access problems considerably!
Slide 14
Youth clubs, womens clubs and ASHA workers were all involved in
awareness raising activities on general hygiene.
Slide 15
The critical need for and basic usage of toilets was a main
topic of discussion.
Slide 16
Responsibility and initiative for the construction of 89
toilets in the area was taken by members of the community.
Slide 17
The material and technical expertise was provided by Seva
Mandir
Slide 18
but many households extended or modified according to their
needs.
Slide 19
A community septic tank accompanied the group of toilets in
Meghwal Mohalla; where the hilly terrain and limited land made
individual tanks unfeasible.
Slide 20
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.
Slide 21
The system treats water through three main processes:
collection and settling of slurry; anaerobic baffled reactor; and
gravel and plant filters.
Slide 22
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.
Slide 23
The water coming out of the plant can be used for irrigation
purposes.
Slide 24
The Nagrik Vikas Manch has also established a new formal
cleaning system
Slide 25
with the appointment of Arogya Mitra: daily village
cleaners.
Slide 26
This has helped regularise these cleaners income; integrate
them better into the community; and instill a value for the
critical work they do.
Slide 27
The system has been made sustainable with contributions from
each family every month for drinking water, sanitation and solid
waste management.
Slide 28
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!
Slide 29
Produced for: Plan India Produced by: Safer World
Communications, www.saferworld.in Photographs: Sarika Gulati and
Meghna Chawla
