SANITATION SITUATION IN SLUM AREA AT THE BANK OF BISHNUMATI RIVER IN BALAJU, KATHMANDU

Submitted to: Parbat Dhungana Indra Raj Bhattarai Course facilitators, EESD 509 Community Research

Submitted By: KabitaKunwar

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the course EESD-509, Community Research of M.Ed. in Environment Education and Sustainable Development.

School of Education Kathmandu University, Balkumari, Lalitpur. June 18, 2011

Table of

ACRONYMS

CBS SACOSAN WHO NGOs ICIMOD NEWAH GDP SPSS KU SACOSAN UNESCO UNICEF

Centre Bureau of Statics South Asian Conference on Sanitation World Health Organization Non-Governmental Organizations International Committee for Integrated Mountain Development Nepal Water for Health Gross Domestic Product Statistical Program for Social Science Kathmandu University South Asian Conference on Sanitation United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nation International Children Emergency Fund

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION This chapter presents the background, purpose, statement of the problem, rationale and limitation of study. Background

Nepal covers three main ecological zones: Mountains, Hills and lowland Terai. Kathmandu Valley comprises of three districts, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, together which cover an area of 899 square kilometers. The Valley encloses the entire area of Bhaktapur district, 85% of Kathmandu district and 50% of Lalitpur district (Pant & Dongol, 2009). The three valley districts have a total of 150 local administrative units (Village Development Committees and Municipalities) out of which five city governments have the highest population and economic activities (Pant & Dongol, 2009). There is a direct linkage between the livelihood of human being and sanitation services. Improved sanitation ultimately contributes towards nation building and prosperity by enhancing the health status of the common mass and thus, their economic productivity. Improved sanitation is basic human necessities and it is fundamental to health, growth and development. Yet, a large proportion of people in Nepal live without access to this service. The situation of the sanitation in Nepal is very worse. The national data reveals that only 43% percent of the population use basic sanitation facility. Lack of safe drinking water supply and sanitation facilities have resulted in worsening public health conditions, deteriorating quality of life and increased economic costs. The high incidence of water-related diseases has contributed significantly to low productivity in Nepal (NEWAH, 2008).

In 1985 there were 17 squatter settlements in Kathmandu, which has now increased to 41 settlements with population of 17,000. The growth of squatters is similar in many other important municipalities and will continue to grow (Lumanti, 2007). Balaju, Jagriti is one of the slum area located in the Balaju ward No 16. It has around 126 households.

Purpose The purpose of this study is  To identify the sanitation situation in the study area.  To examine the good practices of sanitation and its impact on people's health.

Research Questions 1. What is the sanitation situation in the study area? (Observe 12 indicators of NEWAH) 2. What are the good practices among the slums to maintain sanitation situation? (Wash hands, using water while going to toilets, drinking water, and cleanliness in home)

Rationale of the study Sanitation plays vital role in the human life as well as whole nation building. Healthy people can contribute for the family, society and nation development so that it is being a concern of the people, nation, policy makers, development practicener and etc. It also can make environment good. Thus this study would be very much fruitful to the students, researchers to get relevant information about the sanitation status in the slum areas and it helps to enhance the skills to conduct social research. It would be also useful to the organizations, who are working in this field. Furthermore, In the case of nation, findings of this research would be guidelines to policy makers to make policies for the slum dwellers.

Limitation of the study Due to the lack of adequate time and financial sources, this study was limited only one slum area of Balaju at the bank of Bishnumati River. This study was based on very small sample size so that the findings of this study cannot be generalized in whole nation.

CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW Literature review is the major part of the study by which I've tried to link this learning with previous learning. The literature review is divided into three major parts:

General review Sanitation generally refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and faces. Inadequate sanitation is a major cause of disease world-wide and improving sanitation is known to have a significant beneficial impact on health both in households and across communities. The word 'sanitation' also refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal. The term "sanitation" can be applied to a specific aspect, concept, location, or strategy, such as:  Basic sanitation - refers to the management of human feces at the household level. This terminology is the indicator used to describe the target of the Millennium Development Goal on sanitation  .On-site sanitation - the collection and treatment of waste is done where it is deposited. Examples are the use of pit latrines, septic tanks etc.  Food sanitation - refers to the hygienic measures for ensuring food safety.  Environmental sanitation - the control of environmental factors that form links in disease transmission. Subsets of this category are solid waste management, water and wastewater treatment, industrial waste treatment and noise and pollution control.  Ecological sanitation - a concept and an approach of recycling to nature the nutrients from human and animal wastes (WHO, 2009).

A slum household is a group of individuals living under the same roof in an urban area who lack one or more of the following five activities; Durable housing, sufficient living area, Access to improved water, access to sanitation, secure tenure (UN Habitat, 1989) Major characteristics of the slum in Nepal
y

A slum is a cluster of houses - a slum is an area therefore, an individual house is not considered as a slum. Slum areas are generally found in periphery of old inner city, which is a marginalized area from the point of view of old settlements and these days, which is being occupied by new migrants.

Lack of access to public services a slum generally lacks access to public services such as sewerage, water supply, roads, street lamps etc. or even if they have them, they provide poor service facilities.

Over crowded area a slum generally have high density of people within the dwelling unit on the basis of space occupancy. Small houses or huts with narrow and dark street lanes characterize slums in most of the cases.

Low income group residents of the slum belongs to low income or economically deprived group such as poor tenants. In some areas, they can also be the people, displaced by disasters or conflict.

Socially deprived residents of the slum may also belong to socially deprived group such as lower castes.

Poor housing houses in the slum area generally used low-cost building construction materials with poor hygiene and sanitation (Discussion Note, 2004).

Different national and international organizations are prepared several indicators to access the sanitation situation. This study is based on the indicators of sanitation prepared by the NEWAH. It is working in the water and sanitation in rural and urban areas of the Nepal.

1. All households use hygienic latrines

2. Always keep latrines clean 3. Washing hands properly with soap, ash and water at critical times (after defecating, before eating and feeding children, before preparing food and after coming in contact with dirt) 4. Keep food covered 5. Keep drinking water covered 6. Keep household environment clean 7. Use slippers or shoes while going to the latrine 8. Keep surrounding environment of taps, tube wells, wells and spring clean 9. Keep roadside and walking trails clean 10. Dump wastes in specific area 11. Give attention to personal hygiene 12. Make appropriate use of waste water (eg. for kitchen gardening)

Specific review

An estimated 2.6 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation globally. If the current trend continues, by 2015 there will be 2.7 billion people without access to basic sanitation. The regions with the lowest coverage are sub-Saharan Africa (31%), southern Asia (36%) and Oceania (53%). Underlying issues that add to the challenge in many countries include a weak infrastructure, an inadequate human resource base and scarce resources to improve the situation (WHO, 2010).

Studies show that improved sanitation reduces diarrhea death rates by a third. Diarrhea is a major killer and largely preventable: it is responsible for 1.5 million deaths every year, mostly among under-five children living in developing countries (WHO, 2010).

UN HABITAT has estimated some 38 percent of the population from the developing countriesLive in slums, 126 million people in Africa, 433 million in Asia and 87 million in Latin America. At present, there are 63 slum and squatter settlements in Kathmandu valley, and its population is growing by 25 percent per year.5 Most of the slums and squatter settlements are located in city core areas and the river banks of Bagamati, Bishumati and Manohara rivers without adequate water supply, basic sanitation and proper nutrition, amongst others. As a result people in slum areas and squatter settlements in Kathmandu have been facing high levels of health risk (Care Nepal, 2010). Only 39% of the Nepalese have access on sanitation facilities (UNICEF, 2005). Seventeen million people defecate in open places every day causing loss of 4% GDP in Nepal (Water aid Nepal, 2006). The latest UN Millennium Development Goals report indicates that in rural areas 70% of the population does not have basic sanitation facilities, and in urban areas the figure is 19% (United Nations/National Planning Commission, 2005). In Nepal, only 46% of the population has access to latrine against water supply coverage of 76% (SACOSAN, 2008). Low quality drinking water supply in the system, poor sanitation practices of the people and unplanned, unsystematic and unsafe disposal of human wastes are causing very serious environmental problems in Nepal. Safe disposal of human excreta alone can save hundreds of lives in these countries. In Nepal, water borne diseases claim 15000 under five children death each year (UNICEF, 2004). And it is believed that human waste (due to ignorance of individual and community hygiene) is the main cause of water contamination. According to one survey, some 800 new squatter families in the past two years began living in public spaces in the city centre along the floodplains of the Bishnumati

and Bagmati. In total, there are an estimated 2,800 families living in shacks, tents and makeshift huts on land they do not own. (Nepal Times, 2003). The sanitation status in the slum area of the Kathmandu district is very unhygienic. The households with toilets in Kathmandu district is 92% and the household do not have toilets using open defecation (CBS, 2001). Open defecation is still widely practiced in most of the rural areas in Nepal. Part of the urban population (around 10 %), mostly slum dwellers, also practice open defecation.

Policy review The millennium development goals target 75% global sanitation coverage by 2015. The cost to reach this milestone is estimated at us$14 billion annually through the period. Among other health gains, sanitation is estimated to reduce diarrhea cases by 391 million worldwide each year (WHO).
Achieving the MDG targets on drinking water and sanitation by 2015 and national goal of attaining universal coverage by 2017 is a challenging task for the nation. But it is possible through larger political will and commitment and increased investments. Investing on water and sanitation can prevent the annual 13,000 diarrheal deaths of children below five (UNICEF, 2005) or loss in productive labor due to illness caused by lack of access to these services, estimated to be over 10 billion rupees per year (approximately 153 million US dollars). This is as high as 4 percent of the national GDP (Nepal State of the Sanitation Report, 2004). Ensuring policies are implemented into practice, scaling up proven and replicable approaches as well as generating greater awareness through proper collaboration and networking is as important to meet these goals in Nepal.

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Philosophical consideration This Research in post positivistapproach believes the reality can be verifiable. The status revealed from the study would be applicable to solve problem in the study area as well as in other sanitation situation. Methodological consideration

The nature of my study was to explore the sanitation situation in slum area at the bank of Bishnumati river of Balaju, Kathmandu. Data has collected mostly primary and secondary sources. Secondary data included from different sources including number of organizations working in slums areas as well as from related literature studies.

Methods

The researcher has applied survey method to collect the data\information that were related to households, economy, education, water supply, waste management and so on.

Survey is most commonly used in educational and in social sciences, frequently employed to indicate prevailing conditions, not concerned to characteristics of individuals, provides information about population character. It is statistical in nature because of gathering of data in a particular time frame (Dhungana, 2010).

Study area The study has conducted in Balaju, Jagriti Tole, at the Bishnumati riverside, ward N. 16, Kathmandu. There were around 250 households and people were migrated from the out of valley for more than 40 years ago. The reason behind to chose this area is, households are also

more than other slum areas. Another reason was that, the area is very near to my resident so that it has been chosen. Study population and sample

Samples were taken as the formula of Yamane.

Sample size,
2

N0 = N/1+N

(Yamane, 1967)
2=

Where, N0= Sample size, N= total household, We have, N= 216, Now, N0 = 216/1+216 (0.05)2) =95.81 So that sample size is 96. Data collection tool and method
2

Level of significance

= 0.05

The structured questionnaire has been formed based on the indicators of sanitation prepared by NEWAH and used in the study area. Questionnaire was filled based on sample size. The researcher has self filled the questionnaire. Observation may bring the real, fact answers so that observation checklist has applied to observe the sanitation situation in the study area.

Data Analysis and interpretation

The MS Excel computer program has adopted for the processing of the data. All gathered information has classified and tabulated as per the nature of the data. In these application Graph, table, Pie chart were created to represented the findings and analysis.

R IV

DATA ANALYSIS

Data has been brought based on structured questionnaires and observation checklist Th ese responses are interpreted through table, charts, pie-charts etc.

Table 1 S.N Time of staying 1 5 years 2 10 years 3 15 years 4 More than 15 years Number of people 1 4 35

This table shows that, most of the people are residing there from more than 15 years ago. 35 households are residing there from 15 years ago and 4 are from 15 years and 1 is from 10 years out of total sample si e. By observing the situation of their water availability, settlement, sanitation, employment, their status is quite good. Figure 2: Occupation Status

12%
50% 20%

18%

Service Shop In Factory Others

The above figure depicts the occupation status of people of Slum area under study.Occupation status of the sample observed reveal that half of the population have nonpermanent and unspecified type of Occupation. Around twenty percent population seem to work in shop. Similarly 18% population are engaged in factory while the lowest part is involved on permanent service. Here other kind of occupation refers to the animal Husbandry and other works. They sell pig and earn some money. During the study period, it was observed that most of the people produce domestic alcohol that they sell and earn money. Figure 3: Sources of water

Source of water
50 40 30 20 10 0 Tab public Tube tanker well Well others

46.67
33.33 20

Source of water

This figure shows the sources of water for the people in slum area. Majority of the population around 47% use tab as a dominant source of water. Beside that public tank are prominently used as a major source of water. Tube wells are not seen as a source of water. Besides that unspecified source of water like jar water usage is also high in volume. It being 20% in approximately. They use tube well water for only washing clothes, utensils and in Garden. Sometimes they use jar sealed water. Figure 4: Methods of water filtration

150

93.3%

100 percent
50 0

6.7% Boiling Filter Solar No Heating methods

Number

Boiling and filteration are the methods of water filtration are used by people of slum area. Filteration is the major water filtration technique.

Figure 5: Using Toilet

Open place River banks Toilet Other

This figure indicates that they have individual cemented toilet. Nobody goes river bank and open places for toilet. Figure 6: Methods of toilet cleaning

17%

0%
6% Water Toilet cleaner

77%

Detergent Nothing

Toilet cleaner is more use in the slum area. 77% of people use toilet cleaner such as Harpic and 17% people use Detergent as the toilet cleaner and rest of 6% dont use anytoilet cleaner and detergent. They just use water for cleaning purpose. They found very aware to their hygiene. They keep their toilet very clean. Figure7:
0

Soap
100%

Based on the questionnaire, it was found that all people of slum area use soap after come toilet or after touching some waste and so on. Figure 8: status of using slippers while going to toilet

Using slippers
30

20
10 0

Number

This figure shows that people of slum area use slippers while going to toilet.

Figure9: Types of domestic waste produce

17%
50% 33%

Plastics

Pealing of vegetables Torn clothes and papers

The figures depicts that around 50 % people of slum area are producing plasticsand 33 % are producing pealing of vegetables and 17 foods. They are more depended on market produce % things so that they produce plastics. Figure 10: Methods of domestic waste

Domestic waste managed

Compost burning 56%
Municipal container dumping along the riverside Use in farm

7%

17%

This figure shows that 56 % people of slum are disposed their domestic waste by burning and 27 % use in farm and 17% dumping along the riverside. Nobody practices compost methods in the slum area. Figure: 11 using kitchen waste water in kitchen garden

Yes
No

Figure12: Faced diseases

40%

33%

Diarrhoea

T phoid Fever 20%

7% Malaria None

The 40 % people of slum were answered that they are not suffered as commonly.33% people are suffering from the diarrhoea, 20 % are from fever and 7% are from malaria. Their surrounding environment may effect to increase diseases. DISCUSSION AND FINDINGS In order to achieve the objectives of this research, questionnaires were prepared based on the NEWAH sanitation indicators. Most of the people of this slum area are residing from more than 15 years ago. By observing the situation of their water availability, settlement, sanitation, employment, their status is quite good. Most of the people of slum area dont have permanent job but they have o way of earning wn such as shop, animal Husbandry and etc They sell pig and earn some money. During the study . period, it was observed that most of the people produce domestic alcohol that they sell and earn money so that they can afford for the sanitation facilities such as hygiene toilet, toilet cleaner, filtration pot, soap and etc. Around 47 % people of slum area are depending on tab for water but the water came from the tab is not sufficient. Water is come only twice in a week. The around 34% people are depended on public tank. The 47% people are not benefited fromthe public tank because they are far from it. Some people are also depended on other sources for drinking water such as Jar sealed water. They have been applying just filter the water in filter jar. Few people only boil the water. They dont believe that water may cause the disease or

other health problems. They have separate toilet and they are using toilet cleaning for the cleanliness. They are also aware to use soap after come toilet or touching any kinds of waste. They are also using slippers. Due to the urbanization, people become depended on market produce things. It is also found that they produce more plastics and papers so that they burn this. Their domestic wastes such as pealing of vegetables are used in farm. They dont practice of waste water in kitchen garden because they have already tube well water which they also use in washing clothes and utensils. In the study area people hardly suffer from the diseases due to the poor sanitation practices. During the observation period, it is found that their sanitation practice is also good. They keep their toilet, kitchen and home clean. They dont have enough drinking water but they have water for washing clothes, for toilet use, for garden and etc because every people have tube well. Surrounding environment, street is very clean but their back side of the settlement like riverside and river is very dirty. Their waste management is somehow good. Like they burn plastics and use kitchen waste (inorganic) in farm but they throw the waste water in the river. By observing the sanitation situation of the slum area of the Bishnumati Riverbank at Balaju, it was found that they are very conscious about their personal or individual sanitation but in they are not pay attention to keep clean surrounding of public tab, tube well and river bank. They haphazardly throw the wastes near by the bank. The good practice of sanitation is not bad in the study area but that is not sufficient. Conclusion In conclusion, the sanitation status in the slum area at the river bank of the bishnumati is good so that they hardly visit the hospitals.

REFERENCES

P.Pant &Dongol, D. (2009). Kathmandu Valley profile. Kathmandu. Status of Squatter communities along Bagmati River and its tributaries. (2008). Kathmandu: Lumanti, Support for shelter.

(2004). Discussion Note . Kathmandu: NGO Forum. (2008). SACOSAN Nepal Country Paper. Kathmandu: NEWAH. E news. (2003, September ). Retrieved from Nepal Times : http://nepaltimes.com Nepal position paper on sanitation . (2005-2010). Retrieved from Wateraid Nepal: http://wateraid.org

(2007). City Care Report. Kathmandu : Lumanti Support Group for Shelter . (2011). Retrieved from Wateraid : http://wateraid.org Health problems among Urban poor in selected slum along Bishnumati River in Kathmandu. (2008). Retrieved from Care Nepal: http://carenepal.org

(2011). Retrieved from UNICEF: http://unicef.org