|
Project Jalswarajya |
Before independence
open defecation was a common practice in many
parts of India. Little has changed in the last
59 years. Communities belonging to tribal and
semi-tribal area of Thane District still follow
the unhygienic practice of relieving themselves
in open, near the sources of water causing drinking
water to be contaminated with human waste. As
per details released by UNICEF, one gram of faeces
can contain – 10,000,000 viruses, 1,000,000
bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts, 100 parasite eggs.
Protecting drinking water from faecal contamination
by following home hygiene practices such as sanitary
use of toilets and washing hands with soap or
ash is the only means to fight the widespread
menace of waterborne diseases. |
 |
| Construction
of low cost toilet blocks |
|
|
To
improve the health of the rural communities of Maharashtra,
Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Govt. of Maharashtra
has initiated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project
“Jalswarajya” with the financial assistance
from World Bank in 26 districts of Maharashtra. |
| |
Bridge
Trust, as an SO (Support Organization) is responsible
for implementing Project “Jalswarajya” in
villages falling under 13 Gram Panchayats in Thane District.
The rural water supply and sanitation
program of the Govt. of Maharashtra has undergone a
major policy shift from a government led, supply driven
approach to a community led, demand driven and participatory
approach. Under the new approach emphasis is on small-localized
schemes manageable at local level.
The main
objective of the project is to improve health of the
villagers through better hygiene and sanitation.
In order to
achieve this objective, Bridge Trust has undertaken
following activities with full participation of the
villagers, specially women. |
 |
Participartory
Rural Appraisal – Villagers
make a replica of the village. |
|
- Eradication of environmental pollution through
- construction of individual low cost toilet
blocks
- sewage water management including soak
pits
- garbage management including compost
making
- Ensuring sustainability of the water resources
by adopting complementary measures
for watershed and groundwater management
- Supply of safe drinking water
- Health education
|
- Empowerment of the local community for village
based O & M (Operation and Maintenance)
with full participation of the villagers in
all stages of the project implementation. Villagers’
participation includes contribution in cash
(part contribution in capital costs and full
contribution in O & M cost).
|
|
Villagers
who are unable to pay in terms of cash are required
to contribute in kind by way of ‘Shramdan’.
Bridge Trust has been appointed as SO by the following
Gram Panchayats in Thane District.
| Taluka Vikramgad |
Kasa, Dolhari, Kegva-Balapur,
Chinchghar |
| Taluka Wada |
Khanivali, Nehroli, Ghonsaimet |
| Taluka Vasai |
Kasid Koper |
| Taluka Bhivandi |
Khanivali, Vareth, Kelhe |
| Taluka Palghar |
Gundale, Nandgaon via Tarapur |
|
| |
Gram
Panchayats of these 13 villages have entered into an
agreement with Bridge Trust. As per the agreement Bridge
Trust is responsible for two major components of Project
‘Jalswarajya’ |
| |
- Promotion of Hygiene & Sanitation through IEC
(Information, Education and Communication) dedicated
to encouraging attitudinal & behavioral changes
among all stakeholders for improved sanitation and hygiene
practices.
- Strengthening of local institutions such as Mahila Mandals,
Self Help Groups (SHGs), VWSCs (Village Watershed Committees),
Gram Panchayats.
|
 |
|
| Promotion
of hygiene and sanitation through IEC |
|
| |
Methodology
adopted by Bridge Trust as a Support Organization. |
| |
Advocacy |
- Generating felt demand
for sanitation facilities through
- Creation of awareness for eliminating open defecation
to minimize risk of contamination of drinking
water sources and food.
- Health education
- Attitudinal change
including superstition/de-addiction/family planning
- Eradication of disparities
(economic & social)
- Ownership building
- Women’s participation
|
Training |
- Planning & Implementation
of the project
- Water Management
- Financial Management
(Budgeting & Accounting)
- Monitoring and Evaluation
of the project
- Ensuring sustainability
of the project.
- Vocational guidance
and training to members of SHGs for sustainable livelihood.
|
| Capacity Building |
- Build capacity of local
communities particularly women and motivate them to
participate fully in the implementation of the project.
- Women’s empowerment
through savings and credit programs through Self Help
Groups and their involvement in decision-making processes.
- People’s participation
in decision making and community self governance
|
| Technical
support |
- Encouraging
cost effective and appropriate technologies in sanitation.
- Monitoring & Evaluation.
- Helping villagers in
identifying water sources and selecting appropriate
scheme for water supply.
Currently Bridge Trust team of 11 social workers, entirely
devoted to this project, is operating from their office
at Ganeshpuri in Bhivandi Taluka. It is expected that
all the villages mentioned above will become ‘open
defecation free’ by October 2007. |
 |
| Jalswarajya
Rally... 'Spread the message of cleanliness and
sanitation' |
|
| |
| Tell
a friend |
| |
