Improvement of living conditions of marginalized members of society in (peri-) urban slums in Southern India and the mountainous North Indian district of Ladakh
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Duration:
2009-2011
Sponsored and funded by:
BMZ
The Indian project promoted by the BMZ encompasses 2 integrated development plans, which are conducted in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir.
1. Reduction of poverty and self help initiatives in South Indian Cities
Project partners:
CDD Society (Consortium for DEWATS-Dissemination), EXNORA-International, IIYW, FEDINA, RLHP, CSR, Inspiration, Hunnar Shaala
Background:
The southern parts of India are extremely hot and because the water resources are very scarce the problems of water availability are dominant. Furthermore, the little water that is available is polluted with faeces, making a difficult situation worse.
The modular programme for decentralised sanitation (DEWATS) in povertystricken areas, developed by BORDA has contributed to decisive improvements particularly in the fields of community based sanitation (CBS), i.e. community sanitary blocks, with a strong participatory approach.
Project aims:
The main objectives of the project in cities in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the improvement of basic sanitation infrastructure in poor areas, and the support of integrated urban development programs in the fields of decentralised wastewater treatment and waste management.
Using environmentally friendly technologies, hygiene education and health information these are some of the activities that support the project objectives in close cooperation with the target groups.
Outcomes:
The project provided visible and measurably improved hygienic conditions for target groups living in urban areas. In all DEWATS CBS projects small children’s diarrhoea and adult open defecation were reduced or even eradicated completely. Neighbourhood pollution from organic waste and faeces was reduced by more than 70%. Therefore, the project played a significant part in improving the health situation, especially for women, children and old people.
Another project benefit relates to the improvement of status of residents in poor areas with a DEWATS site. Since the residents have sole responsibility for keeping the site clean and working for the community, they now have a higher status in their neighbourhood.
The role of women was also strengthened: They are now accepted representatives of self help organisations.
2. Improving the living conditions of the marginalised population in the remote mountain regions of Ladakh.
Project partner:
Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG)
Background:
In the north, where the country borders the Himalaya, the weather is colder but there are still water problems as well. Though the quantity of water does not pose the biggest problem in this area; the distances to water bodies is a far bigger problem. Often the water sources are on a lower level than the fields, so the water must be pumped up, and this is expensive. Another issue in this region is its poor economic development, compounded by a lack of electricity and remote location, which makes many young people leave for the big cities in the south.
Project aims:
For the high mountainous region of Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir the objective is to improve the living conditions of poor farmer families in remote villages by increasing income generating opportunities, especially for women. More fields for cultivation are to be established and energy supplies will be increased to support the local economy.
Outcomes:
The living conditions of poor farmers in the extreme Ladakhi climate were also improved.
Project activities in the field of electrification and water supply strengthened agriculture and small industry in 21 villages.
About 500 inhabitants directly benefited from higher agricultural crop production and through the production of goods for market.
These new development initiatives will help to reduce emigration from this region.