COMMUNITY BASED PROJECT COMMUNITY BASED PROJECT TO MITIGATE ARSENIC TO MITIGATE ARSENIC POLLUTION IN INDIAPOLLUTION IN INDIA
Dr. Sudhanshu Sinha Dr. Sudhanshu Sinha (Ph.D Cambridge, UK)(Ph.D Cambridge, UK)
Senior Project OfficerSenior Project OfficerIndia-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF)India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF)
New Delhi, IndiaNew Delhi, [email protected]@gmail.com
ICEF (www.icefindia.org)ICEF (www.icefindia.org)
India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF)India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF)
A development cooperation venture of the A development cooperation venture of the Governments of India and Canada to enhance the Governments of India and Canada to enhance the capacity of Indian organizations to undertake capacity of Indian organizations to undertake environmentally sustainable development and environmentally sustainable development and management of land, water and energy resourcesmanagement of land, water and energy resources
ICEF has funded 50 project across India reaching ICEF has funded 50 project across India reaching out to millionsout to millions
ICEF Arsenic ProjectICEF Arsenic Project
Duration : 5 YearsDuration : 5 Years Total Costs: 8.83 CroresTotal Costs: 8.83 Crores Proponent: Central Government Ministry of Proponent: Central Government Ministry of
Health Institution: AIIH&PH, KolkataHealth Institution: AIIH&PH, Kolkata Sub Partners: 15 NGOsSub Partners: 15 NGOs Project Location: 8 districts of West Bengal and Project Location: 8 districts of West Bengal and
1 district in Jharkhand 1 district in Jharkhand Low cost, Low tech, community based, locally Low cost, Low tech, community based, locally
available sustainable replicable solutionsavailable sustainable replicable solutions
BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND
• • Lots of research work already doneLots of research work already done
• • River Based Water Supply scheme of River Based Water Supply scheme of Government of West BengalGovernment of West Bengal
• • Number of Organizations had developed Number of Organizations had developed technologies for removal of arsenic.technologies for removal of arsenic.
BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND
However, in spite of the above:However, in spite of the above:
• • Gap between demand and supply and large Gap between demand and supply and large number of people continued to drink number of people continued to drink arsenic contaminated water.arsenic contaminated water.
• • Community was never involved in the Community was never involved in the processprocess
MAJOR FACTORS IMPEDING MAJOR FACTORS IMPEDING PROGRESSPROGRESS
Gap between perceived need of people and approach of Gap between perceived need of people and approach of the implementing agenciesthe implementing agencies
Long period of completion for large capital-intensive Long period of completion for large capital-intensive govt. project/ lack of interim reliefgovt. project/ lack of interim relief
Rural population largely unaware of Arsenic hazards Rural population largely unaware of Arsenic hazards and mitigation technologies and mitigation technologies
Lack of facilities at the grass root level for water quality Lack of facilities at the grass root level for water quality
monitoringmonitoring
ICEF PROJECT ICEF PROJECT
To provide immediate relief to the people in To provide immediate relief to the people in 400 villages of West Bengal 400 villages of West Bengal
To supplement government’s effort on a long-To supplement government’s effort on a long-term basis with integrated support (technical term basis with integrated support (technical and social)and social)
A decentralized community based arsenic A decentralized community based arsenic
mitigation project mitigation project
ObjectivesObjectives Establish ‘ Community Group’ to take action on Establish ‘ Community Group’ to take action on
Arsenicosis as a sustainable community institutionArsenicosis as a sustainable community institution
Improve drinking water quality in arsenic affected Improve drinking water quality in arsenic affected areas through ground and surface water treatment areas through ground and surface water treatment and rainwater harvesting as opted by communityand rainwater harvesting as opted by community
Prevention of Arsenicosis through improved Prevention of Arsenicosis through improved community awareness, diagnosis and treatment.community awareness, diagnosis and treatment.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIESIMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES Baseline Survey & NGO SelectionBaseline Survey & NGO Selection
Community Organization and AwarenessCommunity Organization and Awareness
Testing of all ground water sources in 400 villagesTesting of all ground water sources in 400 villages
Community Involvement in Technology Selection and Community Involvement in Technology Selection and InstallationInstallation
Involvement of communities for Operation and Involvement of communities for Operation and Maintenance and SustainabilityMaintenance and Sustainability
Training of medical professionalsTraining of medical professionals
Regular Monitoring, Evaluation and Follow-upRegular Monitoring, Evaluation and Follow-up
NGO APPROACHNGO APPROACH
Field Based NGOsField Based NGOs for project implementation for project implementation
Health Related NGOsHealth Related NGOs for conducting health for conducting health awareness and training awareness and training
NGOsNGOs for delivering messages to the for delivering messages to the community through IECcommunity through IEC
THE APPROACHTHE APPROACH
Selection of severely arsenic affectedSelection of severely arsenic affectedvillages through partner NGOs, villages through partner NGOs,
government, PHED, Arsenic Task government, PHED, Arsenic Task Force other involved agenciesForce other involved agencies
THE APPROACHTHE APPROACH
Community Mobilization, Awareness Community Mobilization, Awareness andand
TrainingTraining • • The users in each of the project villages were The users in each of the project villages were
clustered under a community group, with the clustered under a community group, with the support of the local NGO, assigned to work in support of the local NGO, assigned to work in the area. the area.
• • The village panchayats had been closely The village panchayats had been closely associated with project implementation. associated with project implementation.
THE APPROACHTHE APPROACHThe roles and responsibilities of the community groups were:The roles and responsibilities of the community groups were:
AwarenessAwareness
Water testing of all sources using field kitsWater testing of all sources using field kits
Participation in technology selection, construction of the Participation in technology selection, construction of the treatment system and O&Mtreatment system and O&M
Liaison with respective NGOs Liaison with respective NGOs
Manage financesManage finances
Record KeepingRecord Keeping
THE APPROACHTHE APPROACH Time bound Technology Demonstration in Time bound Technology Demonstration in
Technology Park with 10 hand pump attached Technology Park with 10 hand pump attached arsenic removal units established in the Baruipur arsenic removal units established in the Baruipur Project area with the help of NGO partner, School Project area with the help of NGO partner, School of Fundamental Research.of Fundamental Research.
This component helped in technology evaluation This component helped in technology evaluation based on :based on :
- Costs involvedCosts involved- Ease of O & M at local level Ease of O & M at local level - After sales service by the manufacturersAfter sales service by the manufacturers
THE APPROACHTHE APPROACH
Demonstration through Audio-visual aidsDemonstration through Audio-visual aids
An NGO and a Professional agency was An NGO and a Professional agency was assigned to propagate the massage of arsenic assigned to propagate the massage of arsenic problem, mitigation methodologies and problem, mitigation methodologies and community role in mitigation in a simple form community role in mitigation in a simple form through various audio-visual aids, electronic and through various audio-visual aids, electronic and print media, local folk art etcprint media, local folk art etc
THE APPROACHTHE APPROACH
Doctors Training and Health campsDoctors Training and Health camps Two NGOs have been given the responsibility Two NGOs have been given the responsibility
to train doctors and paramedical personnel of to train doctors and paramedical personnel of the project villages to diagnose and treat arsenic the project villages to diagnose and treat arsenic affected population of the project villages.affected population of the project villages.
In addition, Health camps have been organized In addition, Health camps have been organized in each of the project villages to identify in each of the project villages to identify arsenicosis patients.arsenicosis patients.
Water TreatmentWater Treatment
Domestic arsenic removal unitsDomestic arsenic removal units
In this project different models of domestic filters In this project different models of domestic filters were developed. Community got a number of were developed. Community got a number of choices for procurement according to individual’s choices for procurement according to individual’s affordability affordability
Average Costs : Rs 100 – Rs 500/filterAverage Costs : Rs 100 – Rs 500/filter
O & M is Rs 5 /month +O & M is Rs 5 /month +
Water TreatmentWater Treatment
Surface water treatment units was also triedSurface water treatment units was also triedwith difficulty: with difficulty:
1. Horizontal Roughing Filter/Slow Sand1. Horizontal Roughing Filter/Slow Sand Filter (HRF/SSF)Filter (HRF/SSF)
2. Rain Water Harvesting2. Rain Water Harvesting
NGO-wise Number of Villages AllottedNGO-wise Number of Villages Allotted
55
1414
--
2525
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
Under Under 44thth MoU MoU
2222----88Sri Mayapur Vikash Sangha (SMVS)Sri Mayapur Vikash Sangha (SMVS)12.12.
400400TotalTotal
55------Arsenic Awareness Society (AAS)Arsenic Awareness Society (AAS)13.13.
66----66SAHAYSAHAY11.11.
100100303030301515School of Fundamental Research (SFR)School of Fundamental Research (SFR)10.10.
3939141415151010SWANIRVARSWANIRVAR9.9.
27271212101055Save the Environment (STE)Save the Environment (STE)8.8.
2121151566--RHDCRHDC7.7.
3737151510101212Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha (PBVM)Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha (PBVM)6.6.
10106644--ONWARDONWARD5.5.
202010106644Mandra Unnayan Samsad (MUS)Mandra Unnayan Samsad (MUS)4.4.
4545202015151010Jana Sanhati Kendra (JSK)Jana Sanhati Kendra (JSK)3.3.
3535151510101010Chandra Nath Basu Seva Sangha (CNBSS)Chandra Nath Basu Seva Sangha (CNBSS)2.2.
33331212121299All India Council for Mass Education (AICMED)All India Council for Mass Education (AICMED)1.1.
Total Number of Villages Total Number of Villages AllottedAllotted
Under Under 33rdrd MoU MoU
Under Under 22ndnd MoU MoU
Under Under 11stst MoU MoU
Name of the Implementing NGOsName of the Implementing NGOsSl. Sl. No.No.
List of Other NGOsList of Other NGOs
Time to time arrangement of press conference Time to time arrangement of press conference and press release, documentation of project and press release, documentation of project activ ities.activ ities.
Campaign Against PollutionCampaign Against Pollution5.5.
Preparation IEC materials like posters, leaflets, Preparation IEC materials like posters, leaflets, booklet, Bengali calendar.booklet, Bengali calendar.
Khiddirpur Sanyog Welfare & Khiddirpur Sanyog Welfare & Audio Visual SocietyAudio Visual Society
4.4.
Identification of arsenic patients in project Identification of arsenic patients in project v illages through training of local medical and v illages through training of local medical and paramedical practitioners.paramedical practitioners.
West Bengal Voluntary Health West Bengal Voluntary Health AssociationAssociation
3.3.
Identification of arsenic patients in project Identification of arsenic patients in project v illages through door to door surv ey, clinical v illages through door to door surv ey, clinical diagnosis and through training of local diagnosis and through training of local medical and paramedical practitioners.medical and paramedical practitioners.
Swastha Bhabna Welfare Swastha Bhabna Welfare SocietySociety
2.2.
Water quality monitoring of Technology Park Water quality monitoring of Technology Park ARPs and ev aluation of performance of ARPs and ev aluation of performance of installed ARPs through water quality installed ARPs through water quality monitoring in terms of arsenic remov al monitoring in terms of arsenic remov al efficienciesefficiencies
School of Env ironmental StudiesSchool of Env ironmental Studies1.1.
ResponsibilityResponsibilityName of NGOsName of NGOsSl. Sl. No.No.
List of other supporting AgenciesList of other supporting Agencies
Evaluation of performance of different Evaluation of performance of different implementing NGOs under 1implementing NGOs under 1stst MoU. MoU.
Development management Development management ConsultantsConsultants
2.2.
Preparation of IEC materials like rain guard, Preparation of IEC materials like rain guard, display board, wall painting, booklet, display board, wall painting, booklet, flipchart, desk calendar, etc. and dresses flipchart, desk calendar, etc. and dresses like cap, T-Shirt, umbrella, etc. and time to like cap, T-Shirt, umbrella, etc. and time to time release of project advertisement in time release of project advertisement in radio, TV and news paper.radio, TV and news paper.
Caps Micrographics Pvt. Ltd.Caps Micrographics Pvt. Ltd.1.1.
ACHIEVEMENTSACHIEVEMENTS
389 Community Groups organized389 Community Groups organized
267 Community Groups functioning full fledged267 Community Groups functioning full fledged
45,500 water samples tested and data recorded45,500 water samples tested and data recorded
261 ARPs installed (195 functioning and serving a 261 ARPs installed (195 functioning and serving a population of approximately 80,000)population of approximately 80,000)
18 dug wells constructed, functioning and serving a 18 dug wells constructed, functioning and serving a population of approx 1000population of approx 1000
ACHIEVEMENTSACHIEVEMENTS
3 surface water treatment units are constructed. 3 surface water treatment units are constructed. 1 rain water harvesting project commissioned. 1 rain water harvesting project commissioned. 111 villages covered with domestic arsenic removal 111 villages covered with domestic arsenic removal
filters with more than 7,206 domestic filters filters with more than 7,206 domestic filters A fund of approx. Rs.6,30,000/- has been collected A fund of approx. Rs.6,30,000/- has been collected
from the community for O&M of the treatment from the community for O&M of the treatment facilities.facilities.
1,072 Medical Practitioners have been trained.1,072 Medical Practitioners have been trained. 298298 Health Camps were organized for screening Health Camps were organized for screening
over 25,000 arsenic patients.over 25,000 arsenic patients.
SUCCESSSUCCESS Technology Evaluation :Technology Evaluation :
All the available ARPs had been evaluated All the available ARPs had been evaluated through Technology Parkthrough Technology Park
Principles of functioning and O&M of the Principles of functioning and O&M of the plants are now known to project implementers plants are now known to project implementers - NGOs as well as a significant portion of the - NGOs as well as a significant portion of the beneficiaries.beneficiaries.
SUCCESSSUCCESS Awareness GenerationAwareness Generation
Not uniform throughout the project areas, sensitization Not uniform throughout the project areas, sensitization regarding the problem amongst the community groups regarding the problem amongst the community groups is largely achieved.is largely achieved.
Community has started believing that arsenic could be Community has started believing that arsenic could be removed from water and there is no need to panic. removed from water and there is no need to panic.
However, regarding generation of awareness there is However, regarding generation of awareness there is much to achieve to fulfill the objective of the project.much to achieve to fulfill the objective of the project.
SUCCESSSUCCESS Financial ContributionFinancial Contribution
No developmental program can sustain without community No developmental program can sustain without community involvement. involvement.
Community contribution has been institutionalized by Community contribution has been institutionalized by operating the fund through local post-offices and banks. operating the fund through local post-offices and banks.
In some villages it has been found, that the villagers by In some villages it has been found, that the villagers by themselves have been collecting fund almost since the themselves have been collecting fund almost since the commissioning of the plant.commissioning of the plant.
This success could be pioneer to many of the future This success could be pioneer to many of the future development and mitigation projects of the Government.development and mitigation projects of the Government.
SUCCESSSUCCESS
Integrated ApproachIntegrated Approach
Health, technical, socio-cultural and economical Health, technical, socio-cultural and economical aspects delivered from a single outlet in an aspects delivered from a single outlet in an integrated form. integrated form.
The benefit of this approach may not be visible The benefit of this approach may not be visible within such a short period however such an within such a short period however such an experience would definitely be useful in the long experience would definitely be useful in the long run for any community based program.run for any community based program.
InnovationsInnovations• • GO-NGO PartnershipGO-NGO Partnership
• • Community Participation at all levelsCommunity Participation at all levels
• • Marriage of two institutions (tech & Soc.)Marriage of two institutions (tech & Soc.)
• • Groups of NGOs working together within a Groups of NGOs working together within a program on a common formatprogram on a common format
• • Specialized NGOs helping other NGOs within the Specialized NGOs helping other NGOs within the projectproject
Sustainability ApproachesSustainability Approaches Process SustainabilityProcess Sustainability
Institutional Learning’s and OwnershipInstitutional Learning’s and Ownership Capacity Building at various levels for management & Capacity Building at various levels for management &
technical backstoppingtechnical backstopping Defined Roles and ResponsibilitiesDefined Roles and Responsibilities Resource Institution & linkage to mainstream Resource Institution & linkage to mainstream Leveraging of additional fundingLeveraging of additional funding Health, Hygiene & Livelihood – Cultural ethosHealth, Hygiene & Livelihood – Cultural ethos
Financial SustainabilityFinancial Sustainability- Monthly Community ContributionMonthly Community Contribution- Corpus creationCorpus creation
ConstrainsConstrains
Sludge DisposalSludge Disposal• Disposal in on-site sanitation pit (anaerobic reactor)Disposal in on-site sanitation pit (anaerobic reactor)
• Mixing during cement concretingMixing during cement concreting
• Mixing with clay and burning for brick manufacturingMixing with clay and burning for brick manufacturing
Parallel program of othersParallel program of others
ConstrainsConstrains
NGO Management and trainingNGO Management and training Active women members in the community groups Active women members in the community groups
were below the desirable numberswere below the desirable numbers Political conflicts in some cases created differences Political conflicts in some cases created differences
within the community groupswithin the community groups Community needed more medical attention for Community needed more medical attention for
arsenic patients which was beyond project mandatearsenic patients which was beyond project mandate After implementation of mitigation measures, After implementation of mitigation measures,
supervision and guidance from the NGOs was supervision and guidance from the NGOs was lacking in few caseslacking in few cases
ConclusionsConclusions• • Complete data base on water quality for 400 villagesComplete data base on water quality for 400 villages
• • Training of a cadre of medical professionalsTraining of a cadre of medical professionals
• • Arsenic Technology Park is helping in streamlining Arsenic Technology Park is helping in streamlining policies for the West Bengal governmentpolicies for the West Bengal government
• • NGOs partners have become resource Institutions at NGOs partners have become resource Institutions at local level for future worklocal level for future work
ConclusionsConclusions
• • Ample opportunities to work with the community’s Ample opportunities to work with the community’s choice of approach to mitigate arsenic.choice of approach to mitigate arsenic.
• • NNumber of heterogeneous, socio-cultural and socio-umber of heterogeneous, socio-cultural and socio-
economic groups, where significant number of economic groups, where significant number of alternative micro-level approaches has be tried. alternative micro-level approaches has be tried.
• • NGOs were different and their style of activities NGOs were different and their style of activities were varied, as a result, varieties of strategies in were varied, as a result, varieties of strategies in implementing the project were experienced.implementing the project were experienced.
Steps towards the futureSteps towards the future
THANK YOU !THANK YOU !
