Total district sanitation Alleppy

The state of Kerala in India faces an environmental sanitation problem especially in Alappuzha district. Sixty per cent of the rural population and 15.62% of the urban population have no latrines. The construction of latrines falls far behind the number of new houses built each year. As well, the over use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, floods which hamper the provision of safe drinking water and safe disposal of excreta, and solid waste disposal in the many canals have all contributed to environmental degradation. This paper outlines a new total sanitation programme including the provision of latrines, solid waste management, drainage and a whole package of water related health promotion initiatives, which has been designed to alleviate the environmental problems. The programme rests on strengthening the local governing bodies to take up responsibilities in creating local capacities and mobilizing local resources, and on systematic awareness-building and health training in local communities. The long term objective of the programme is to improve the health and living conditions of the people. The immediate objectives include building affordable and sustainable sanitation facilities; raising awareness about the gravity of the environmental sanitation situation and the need to shoulder community responsibilities towards overcoming them; and strengthening the capacity of institutions and NGOs to plan, implement and manage the programme through community participation. The paper details the topographic and demographic features of the district, the components of the sanitation facilities needed at the home and village level supported by diagrams, the cost sharing programme with estimates, an outline of the role of students in the Cleaner Kerala movement, tables outlining a one year sanitation action programme, and a complete budget summary for the programme.