The Government of Karnataka and BAIF Institute of Rural Development – Karnataka (BIRD-K) engaged in finding a permanent solution for mitigation of Fluorosis in three districts of Karnataka through an initiative called ‘Sachetana’.
The Government of Karnataka and BAIF Institute of Rural Development – Karnataka (BIRD-K) engaged in finding a permanent solution for mitigation of Fluorosis in three districts of Karnataka through an initiative called ‘Sachetana’.
Two villages in Karnataka were selected to be developed as models for domestic water management. The project ensured integrated domestic water management, including access to piped metered water, sanitation and ensured sustainability at the source. Wastewater management through drains, soak pits and kitchen gardens was done to ensure safe disposal of waste water. EcoSan was established as an option for sanitation tried at certain scale in the project. Conjunctive water use was promoted through rooftop rainwater harvesting.
This project was an initiative conceived by students from the National Institute of Technology-Karnataka, who started a group called Sparsh in collaboration with Gajani Foundation. The project sought to ensure water security in a coastal village with high saline intrusion. Arghyam‘s role in this project partnership was to promote community rainwater harvesting so as to provide potable water to the people.
The Supreme Court ordered that across states, all schools must be provided with toilets and drinking water facilities as part of students’ Right to Education. Arghyam considers sustainable access to safe drinking water an important issue and has promoted it across Karnataka.
This has been done through several methods:
In 2008 Arghyam embarked on a year-long programme to gather data about and raise awareness on several water and sanitation issues. These included water quality and quantity, how water was stored, access to water, open defecation and menstrual hygiene. We called the programme ASHWAS, for ‘A Survey of Household Water and Sanitation’, and it ran into 2009.
The Government of Karnataka has been implementing the ambitious Antarajala Chetana program across the state to improve groundwater levels in rural areas by leveraging Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
