Here, toilet training is literally a walk in the park

People go to parks for a walk, a whiff of fresh air and some quiet moments. But a park in Pali district, Rajasthan, serves an entirely different, though not less important, purpose. It drives home the message of sanitation.

Right from the ordinary rural pan to the jhumpa toilets, twin-pit to a bio-digester model — the quest for a total toilet solution ends here.

The Toilet Park, as it’s popularly called, in the collectorate’s premises has stimulated a toilet revolution in the district. Visiting villagers and panchayat representatives return motivated to make their villages open defecation free (ODF).

Developed under World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP) in Rajasthan, the park was designed by rural marketing consultancy MART.

World Bank identified Pali and Bundi for the project and both the district administrations have been supportive and proactive towards the Swacchta Abhiyan, says Sushil Mate, the design researcher and strategist for the project.

A huge wall display at the park lists the proud panchayats that are now ODF. Gram sevak Kana Ram Patel, recently transferred from Bhaanvri (the first ODF village in Pali) to Dayalpura says, “It is quite challenging to change people’s mindset. But since we have successfully turned Bhaanvri village ODF within a month, we are able to persuade the others.”

The task is made easier by a visit to the sanitation park, which outlines clearly the price range, suitability and technology. The displays of toilet models include prototypes of innovative sub-structure, mid-structure and superstructure designs, as also a hygienic hand-washing station integrated with the sanitation system.

The detailed descriptions of the material needed and the costs involved help visitors decide on a model suited to their need and budget, as also the soil and other conditions in their region.

“There is emphasis on environmentally safe designs that can also accommodate local skills and resources. If stone is available in a region, a sub-structure of stone or brick can be chosen. For rocky soil, the bio-digester model could be good. For superstructure, the rural population may choose even grass or bamboo if they find other options expensive,” explains Mate.

Rajnesh Kumar, project team leader, says the best thing about the models is that they are upgradable. Additionally, MART has identified and supported local entrepreneurs to offer these products and services to all rural segments, including the poorest.

A survey conducted in October-November 2012, before the project launch, found that despite the Total Sanitation Campaign and the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to promote demand-led sanitation solutions, the implementation was only subsidy-driven. Many respondents said they build toilets only when they get the subsidy for it. Even economically better-off consumers said, “ Yeh emergency ke liye hai . Sabhi to istamaal nahin karenge , paani ki dikkat hai , hum to bahar chale jayenge (This is only for an emergency. There is water scarcity, we don’t mind going outside).”

The project has, therefore, kept in mind consumer behaviour as well as supply chain issues in remote areas, says Kumar. Often families leave a toilet half-constructed due to unavailability of material or lack of skilled masons. The involvement of sanitation entrepreneurs resolves this issue.

As per 2011 census, rural Rajasthan needed at least 7.6 million toilets, which roughly translates into a ₹13,000-crore business. The sanitation industry finds it a lucrative opportunity. Many entrepreneurs have come forward in Bundi and Pali to build toilets according to local needs and affordability.

Mahendra Singh, a second year BSc student in Pali’s Rupawas village, says, “We had a new house constructed four years ago, but never thought a toilet was necessary. But now we have built one in the house.”

The sanitation park seems to be serving its purpose.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Rajasthan

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