Written by Himani Bist
BORDA Partner –CDD Society

CDD Society is pleased to announce specialised three-day training on “Periodical Maintenance of DEWATS” from 9^th - 11^th August 2010 at Bangalore. The Training programme will discuss the importance and methodology of periodical maintenance activities necessary for continuous and efficient performance of DEWATS units. Thus, it aims to impart and enhance the knowledge and skills of people associated with the operation and maintenance of these units. Experienced trainers will present the relevant information and knowledge about periodical maintenance through various theoretical and practical sessions.

Written by Pranai Thapa
BORDA Partner - LEDeG

Pangbar and Yarkashing are neighboring hamlets in Kargil District, about 82 kms south of Kargil Town. They experience heavy snowfall and remain isolated throughout winter. Until 2005, one had to walk 12 kms from the village to the nearest motorable road. Now the road reaches the village. The population of the 2 hamlets is about 350, each hamlet consisting of 20 households. The main income of these communities is from agriculture and daily wage labour. Agriculture is of subsistence type consisting mainly of crops such as barley, wheat, peas and some vegetables. Due to the short farming season, only a single crop is possible in a year. The primary source of water for agriculture is mainly glacier melt from the nearby Pangbar Tokpo.

Written by E.Arunkumar
BORDA Partner – CDD Regional Coordination Office, Chennai
 
In collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Ltd. (RGRHCL), Karnataka and Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA), Germany, CDD Society orgainsed a 1-day Training Programme  on DEWATS for Site Supervisors. The 1-day Programme was conducted on 18^th June at Mandavaikuppam, Marakanam and Villupuram at the construction site in a permanent settlement for the tsunami-affected community.

Written by V.Ganapathy
BORDA Partner - ExNoRa International

As stipulated by the Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi, the Tamil Nadu State Urban Sanitation Policy has been finalised at a meeting convened in Chennai on 20^th June 2010; it would  facilitate implementation of the NUSP in Tamil Nadu. At the meeting convened by the Directorate of Municipal Administration in Chennai, officials of Municipal Corporations, elected Chairman, NGOs and experts from the Departments of the Metropolitan Development Authority, Water and Drainage board and so on discussed the broad features of the NUSP and how to dovetail the same in tune with the geographical and other special features of the State.

Written by V.Ganapathy
BORDA Partner - ExNoRa International

There is a new mantra among environmentalists fighting to end the menace of plastics in today’s world. Sorry but it is not the conventional Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R). But it is a Replicate. Mr. Rajendra Ratnoo I.A.S, District Collector, proved that the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules promulgated almost a decade ago could indeed be implemented without harm to anyone. Incredible as it may sound, it is only too true and cannot be believed but only to be seen. For the past month throughout Kanyakumari District, the battle has been won against plastics. It is almost a win-win situation for all. The butcher, the grocer, the vegetable shopkeepers, the fish merchant, hospitals, petty tea shop owners and roadside nongu (Palmyrah) fruit drink sellers have all said NO to plastics. The auto driver, school teacher, 90-year old pilgrims from Allahabad, taking a holy dip in the sea near the Kanyakumari temple or the tourists congregating at the stand to board the ferry to the Vivekananda rock - all have joined hands with the District authorities, willingly to take up the crusade against plastics. All four municipalities, 56 Town Panchayats and 99 Village Panchayats have not only passed laws prohibiting the use of low-grade plastics and plastic articles but scrupulously observe the spirit of the law from April 1^st, 2010

Written by K. Mohanasundaram
BORDA Partner - ExNoRa International

In 2009, ExNoRa International successfully implemented DESWAM in Kulithalai Municipality with financial support from BORDA–CDD. The programme which was initiated in 3 wards was later extended to all 24 wards in a phased manner. Biodegradable waste is converted to organic manure by aerobic composting and value addition by vermicomposting using the tank, heap and brick methods. The income from the sale of vermicompost to the local farmers is around Rs.10, 000/- per month and the sale of recyclables about Rs.4, 000/- per month, respectively.

Written by R. Devika
BORDA Partner – DHAN Foundation

DHAN CURE is constructing a CBS-DEWATS in Panaiyur Village, 4 kms outside Madurai Municipal Corporation limits. This project is implemented in collaboration with DHAN Gangai Vattara Kalanjiam and DRDA Madurai. As part of the social process of this project, CURE, supported by ExNoRa International, organised a field trip for various project stakeholders to Musiri Town Panchayat and Kulithalai Municipality near Trichy on 17^th June 2010. (Pic-1: Panaiyur delegation in Musiri)

Written by Shilpa Mirashi
BORDA Partner – IIYW

With the broader aim of 100 percent sanitised cities and with the target to achieve open-defecation-free and healthy communities, the Indian Institute of Youth Welfare and BORDA targeted two socio-economically weaker urban communities in Kolhapur, Western Maharashtra in April 2007. The CBS (Community Based Sanitation) Programme is a people centered approach towards sanitation and both the Projects were completed in May 2008 and June 2008. The Project stresses on the need for people’s participation right from inception to post-implementation and further in the management of CBS complexes which have been handed over to the respective communities or CBOs.

Written by Shilpa Mirashi
BORDA Partner - IIYW

It is said that leadership is a skill that many people can develop if they are willing to take time and practice. Leadership is often elaborated as working with and through others to achieve objectives with the presence of three essentials in an individual or group - ideas, influence and initiative. Leadership is also defined as a social process. In order to enhance the development of the Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Rajendra Nagar, the Indian Institute of Youth Welfare conducted a training programme in Kolhapur on 16^th and 17^th June 2010. The CBO has been managing the community toilet complex in Rajendra Nagar for the last 2 years. IIYW, hence, felt the need to impart systematic training to the CBO mainly on Effective Community Leadership. The objective of this short training was mainly to motivate the 14 member-CBO in Rajendra Nagar to better leadership and a systematic community approach. The 4 different sessions of the training included deliberation and elaboration on  Leadership Roles and Competencies, Group Dynamics, Conflict Management, Preparation of Action Plans and Decision-making, along with leadership games and participatory exercises.

Written by Ajit Seshadri
BORDA Partner – The Vigyan Vijay Foundation

Scindia School situated atop a hillock in Gwalior has been facing acute shortage of water for the past decade. The School Management decided to apply eco-friendly and cost-effective sustainable water management, green-practices for optimally managing water. With guidance from the NGO,- The Vigyan Vijay Foundation (VVF),,  the Project “WAR for Water” was introduced by applying the 4R- mantras - namely Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recharge which introduced simple practices that achieved appreciable benefits.