LIFESTYLE
Nidhi Jamwal is an independent journalist based in Mumbai
Till two years ago, Kairi, a Tharu tribe village of 138 families in Pashchim Champaran, Bihar, did not have even a single toilet. Fed up of the difficulties faced by female members of his family, who had to walk long distance to defecate, Yogendra Nath, a farmer, decided to take a step.
In early 2015, Nath came in touch with Vinita Kumari of neighbouring Poorvi Tola village, who, with the help of a local NGO Water Action, had managed to construct 31 toilets in her village. These ‘ecosan’ (ecological sanitation) toilets, known as phaydemand shauchalaya (beneficial toilets), not only provide sanitation, but also control groundwater pollution and generate humanure and urine for agricultural use.
With technical assistance from Water Action, Nath constructed his own phaydemand shauchalaya in April 2015, the first-ever toilet in his village. It cost Rs 18,015; of which, Rs 12,000 was funded by government. Nath’s toilet not only provides hygienic place for defecation, but also supports agricultural practices.
On an average, the annual faecal matter and urine of one human being contains 4.6 kg nitrogen, 0.6 kg phosphorous and 1.3 kg potassium. These toilets recycle them. It has two specially-designed toilet pans placed above two raised concrete excreta chambers. Each pan has a 10-inch diameter space in the centre leading to the chambers where faeces are collected. Sloping away from this are two basins at the front and back with their own drainage. Former collects urine, latter drains out the wash water. Thus, faeces and urine are segregated at the source.
After defecation, two spoons of ash are sprinkled on the faeces and the lid is closed. Water or urine should not enter it. Once the chamber is full, it is sealed and the family starts using the second chamber. In 5-6 months, the sealed excreta converts into humanure (odourless powdery manure), which is used in the fields. Urine, diluted with water, is sprinkled on the crops.
In two years, Poorvi Tola’s 31 ecosan toilets have together generated 108 quintals of humanure and 24,900 litres of urine, which has been applied in the fields.
“My family has stopped buying chemical fertilisers and is saving Rs 12,000 per year,” says Kumari.
Vinay Kumar of Water Action says these toilets also control groundwater pollution, as there is no underground septic tank. Nath’s phaydemand shauchalaya is already inspiring the fellow villagers. Three more residents of Kairi have constructed similar ‘ecosan’ toilets.
Speak up:
Did you like this? Write to us at environdna@gmail.com
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons
'Virat Kohli is trying to...': Shoaib Akhtar makes BIG statement on Champions Trophy 2025
Maharashtra Election 2024: Mukesh Ambani and family cast their votes in Mumbai
Centre revises performance-linked incentive scheme for THESE employees; check details
Manipur violence: Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Imphal Valley for 7 hours
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: 36-41 seats predicted for BJP, JMM to secure…
Elon Musk faces big threat after million of users switch from X to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky
ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya reclaims No. 1 T20I all-rounder spot, Tilak Varma enters top 10
DNA Verified: Is retirement age for central govt employees increasing to 62? Know truth here
Android 16 preview unveiled by Google: Who can access it? Here's all you need to know
Anti-pollution diet: Foods that can help fight air pollution naturally
Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's face 'blows up' after anti-aging experiment; here’s how
Expanding Horizons: GOCL Corporation’s Strategic Diversification in Electronics and Metal Cladding
TrezarBit App Review 2024: Legit Trading Platform? Quick Facts!
Meet man who worked closely with Isha Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, set to take new role as...
Meet man, lifted bricks 8 hours a day, cracked NEET by studying on broken phone, he scored...
US embassy in Kyiv shuts down after receiving warning of 'potential significant' Russian air attack
Anil Ambani's next BIG step, Reliance Group announces new plan for...
Jaguar reveals new brand logo, identity ahead of EV debut
Playing with Fire: Will Putin risk nuclear Armageddon before Trump takes office?