This November South Asian ministers, government officials and civil society
members conversed in New Delhi for the Third South Asian Conference
on Sanitation (SACOSAN-III). This has been an important event to once again
focus everyone’s attention on sanitation and accelerate progress towards
universal access to sanitation. Nepal has set the target for 100 percent
sanitation coverage by 2017. This is an ambitious target but not out of
reach if we all work together on a war footing. Bangladesh plans to have
universal coverage by 2010 and they are moving ahead towards it. If they
can do it, we can do it. ENPHO for its part has started School Led Total
Sanitation (SLTS) campaigns in various places such as Hetauda and Bajhang
district to expand sanitation coverage. We look forward towards active
support from all in meeting this target.
Climate Change impacts Human Health!
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines Climate Change as “a change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere, and that is in addition to natural climate variability over comparable time periods.” According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), some of the major effects of Climate Change include: increase in average global surface temperature over the last century; and many areas have experienced increases in rainfall, particularly mid to high latitude countries.
Change in the climate is shown to have significant impacts, both direct and indirect, on human life. The impacts are not only seen in arctic but also in the tropical and other climatic zones. Climate Change has been attributed to the changes in both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events; such as floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and tornados and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. Other consequences include fluctuations in the agricultural yields, glacial retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions including increases in the ranges of disease and vectors. There are limits to the tolerance capacity of human physiology in order to adapt to the variations in climatic processes. Therefore, climate change has a range of inter-linkages with human health. These include direct impacts, such as temperature-related illness and death; the health impacts of extreme weather events; the effect of air pollution in the form of spores and moulds. Other impacts follow more intricate pathways such as those that give rise to water- and food-borne diseases; vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases; or food and water shortages (WHO 2002).
The figure below illustrates the climate change and health pathways.
Figure 1: Climate Change and Health Pathways (Adapted from World Health Organization)
The latest IPCC Climate Change 2007 - Synthesis Report mentions the health status of millions of people is projected to be at stake through, for example, increases in malnutrition; increased deaths, diseases and injury due to extreme weather events; increased burden of diarrhoeal diseases; increased frequency of cardio-respiratory diseases due to higher concentrations of ground-level ozone in urban areas related to climate change; and the altered spatial distribution of some infectious diseases. Corroborating IPCC warning, WHO also confirms that severity of climate-sensitive diseases, like diarrhoea, malaria and protein-energy malnutrition, are among the largest global killers. Recent estimates of WHO shows over 150,000 deaths per year pertaining to climate change and these risks are expected to increase substantially in the future.
However, reviews of the likely impacts of climate change by the IPCC suggest that a warming climate is likely to bring some localized benefits, such as decreased winter deaths in temperate climates, and increases in food production in some, particularly high latitude regions.
The impacts of climate change may not be evenly distributed around the world. The health effects of a rapidly changing climate are likely to be overwhelmingly negative, particularly in the developing world, which have contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions. In areas where adaptation to the climate change impacts has not received much attention, the issue of health impacts due to climate change is a matter of rare concern.
Adaptation to any environmental changes need better understanding of the phenomenon and hence need more research. Developing countries do not have enough capacity to take actions for adaptation to extreme changes in climate and its subsequent impacts on human health and well being. Hence, we should focus on systemic observation of climate change and health impacts, raise awareness at grassroots level in order to better inform and enhance the coping strategies best suited to varying situations and locations.
- Rabin Bastola
ENPHO
:: ENPHO NEWS ::
NEW PAN FOR WET ECOSAN
For the past six years, ENPHO has been conducting research on and promoting ecological sanitation (ECOSAN), which recognizes excreta as valuable resources and includes excreta recycling facilities. The Ecosan toilet, that collects urine and feaces separately and recycles them as organic fertilizer, has been constructed in various per-urban communities of Kathmandu and also in other parts of the country. The pan used in these toilets are of different types i.e. single pan, double pan, urine diverting (dry) and urine diverting (wet type) etc. Recently ENPHO has developed a low cost wet Ecosan pan which helps people interested to use only the urine as a fertilizer. Construction cost of wet Ecosan toilet is less than the dry Ecosan toilet.
PROMOTION OF POINT OF USE WATER TREATMENT IN MUNICIPALITIES
ENPHO in partnership with UN-HABITAT, The Bottlers Nepal, Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS) including its divisional offices and Municipalities (Lalitpur, Hetauda, Bharatpur, Butwal, Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj) has been conducting various safe water awareness and promotion activities in above mentioned municipalities. Training to local journalists was organized in Lalitpur in October. The journalists were oriented on Household Water Treatment (HWT) options and project activities. Similarly, the headmasters/teachers from 19 schools, 1750 individuals of 72 women and youth groups were trained on HWT and environmental sanitation in Lalitpur. The total of 830 individuals of 15 mother groups, sanitation committees of China Quarter and Tole Lane Organization (TLO) members of Hetauda were also trained on HWT while 583 individuals were oriented about safe drinking water through school in Bharatpur. Under the same project, wall paintings on household treatment options and safe water awareness messages have been completed at Hetunda, Butwal and Nepalgung. The TV commercial on PoU options was broadcast through NTV in the Sept. –Oct. 2008. The project has also installed bio-sand filters in three schools in Lalitpur to provide safe drinking water to the students. Nature Clubs has been established in four schools at Hetauda and training to members of nature club about safe drinking water and solid waste management has been organized. In addition, the totals of 1361 students from 27 schools in Lalitpur were oriented on safe drinking water and different HWT options.
PLACEMENT OF ON-SHOP DISPLAY BOARDS
About 230 on-shop display boards with PIYUSH messages were placed at various shops in Kathmandu, Mugling, Narayanghat, Bharatpur, Nawalparasi, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Dang and Dhangadi in order to provide easier access of information on PIYUSH to local people. This campaign has been conducted under the Academy for Educational Development (AED)/N-MARC Project.
ARSENIC TESTING
On 19 October, ENPHO signed an agreement with Department of Water Supply and Sewerage to test 1500 water samples to determine the level of arsenic in water from tube wells of various Terai Districts.
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION CASE STUDY AT RUPENDHI
In mid October 2008, a case study of Indoor air pollution status was done at a Tuktukiya, Makrahar V.D.C in south-east part of Rupandehi district of Lumbini zone. The survey village is regarded as one of the backward areas in the entire Makrahar VDC. Tharu, Magar, and Dalit constitute greater part of the population in the village. Majority of people are depended on agriculture for their daily subsistence. Majority of Households in this village were found using agriculture residue and dung, as their main cooking fuel. Therefore the objective of this case study was to assess the level of harmful smoke due to combustion of these dirty cooking fuels in the kitchen environment. As a criterion pollutant in the smoke, Particulate Matter (PM) of 2.5 in micrometer size, and carbon monoxide (CO) were taken for the case study. To measure these respective pollutants, UCB Particle monitors, a continuous sampler for PM2.5 and Onset HOBO for CO followed as per the protocols and guidelines of University of California, Berkeley (http://ceihd.org/). A total of 13 household were sampled randomly for PM2.5 and CO.
CS FILTER DISTRIBUTION AND FILED VISIT
One hundred forty Colloidal Silver (CS) filters were distributed in the first week of November in Gundu village of Bhaktapur to promote safe water. This support was possible through the partnership with A Vision for Clean Water US and Rotract Club Kathmandu Mid Town. On the same occasion, Rotarians Eillen Hasely and John Hasely visited ENPHO project site and observed Ecosan toilets.
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING OF KATHMANDU VALLEY
The PM10 concentration of Kathmandu Valley seems to rise up slowly as October ends. However, the values are within National Standards i.e. 120 µg/m3. As October is the month of festivals the daily PM10 values are less during festivals, about 55-70 µg/m3. The numbers of vehicles running are less than normal, during festivals and industries are also closed. This might be the reason for lower level of daily PM10 values (80-110 µg/m3) during festivals.
CONTINUITY TO SERVICE DELIVERY WORKS IN PERI-URBAN AREAS OF KATHMANDU
As a technical partner of the community group, ENPHO has been implementing water and sanitation improvement works in Gundu VDC, Bhaktapur and Chapagaon VDC, Lalitpur. Both of these projects are being supported by WaterAid Nepal (WAN). Till date following activities have been conducted: 1) In Gundu: 30 to 35 Ecosan toilets, 7 Sulav pit latrines, 11 household grey water management units (Juthelno) have already been completed; 2) In Chapagaon: 40 to 45 sulav pit latrines, and 1 well rehabilitation works have been completed. Also pavement work of 150 sq. m. has been completed and construction of drainage works has been initiated.
PARTICIPATION/PRESENTATIONS
- On September 27, Bhushan Tuladhar, Executive Director made presentation on Climate Change and its implication in Nepal to a group of senior journalists.
- On 17 October, Bhushan Tuladhar, Executive Director made a presentation on Indoor Air Quality and Health to field promoters during training organized by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.
- Mr. Prajwol Shrestha and Mr. Rajendra Shretha, Program Managers of WATSAN units participated in the training program for upgrading skills on Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS). The thirteen days long training was organized by Consortium of DEWATS Dissemination Society (CDD) and BORDA. The training took place on October 13 to 15, 2008 at Bangalore city of India.
From 28 October to 4 November, Rabin Bastola, Resource Center Manager attended the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar COP 10) at Changwon, Korea. Prior to this conference he also participated in the Wetlands - Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA) Meeting and World NGO Conference on Wetlands from 25-27 October. During this period he was actively involved in the establishment of World Wetlands Network (WWN) among NGOs and also formulating WWN’s goals, objectives and immediate action plan. He made a photo presentation of High Altitude Wetlands of Nepal at a program organized by the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements (KFEM). The KFEM and Korea NGO Network for Ramsar COP10 sponsored his trip to Korea.
- On 22 October, Rajesh Adhikari, Promotional Manager gave a presentation on Point of Use Water Treatment system focusing on PIYUSH promotion during the GIS information sharing programme with condoms promoters, sex workers and partners jointly organized by AED and Mitra Samaj in Dhangadi. Similarly, he had a meeting with Dr. Prakash Panta of AED and Jayshree Rai of Mitra Samaj to share current progress on PIYUSH promotion.
- Rajesh Adhikari, Promotional Manager gave interview regarding Point of Use water treatment at household level with focus on use of PIYUSH at Bageshwori FM Nepalgunj, Swargadwari FM Dang and Dinesh FM Dhangadi from 22-24 October.
:: LOCAL NEWS ::
RALLY ORGANIZED TO KEEP BAGMATI CLEAN
Himalaya Charitable Trust (HCT) organised a rally from Gaurighat to Tilganga to create awareness among the riverside people about keeping the Bagmati River clean and pure. The rally started from Gaurighat shouting slogans like ‘lets keep historic and holy Bagmati River, manage garbage properly, conserve it and protect environment.’ Addressing the rally, Minister of Environment Science and Technology Ganesh Shah said that each and every people should be responsible to keep the river clean and pure, and protect the environment. He asked every citizen to remain alert about protecting the environment, as the efforts made by the government alone could not be sufficient in this regard. President of the HCT Rita Khanal said that the situation of the Bagmati River was worsening because of the unplanned settlement along the riverside and the government’s negligence in this regard.
Source: The Rising Nepal; Annapurna Post; Gorkhapatra, 27 OctoberWORK ON WIND POWER STARTS
The government has started homework on generating power from wind according to its plan to produce 20 megawatt wind energy in the current fiscal year. Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, in this year's budget, had proposed to mark the current fiscal year as the "Year of Alternative Energy". Minister for Environment Science and Technology (MoEST) Ganesh Sah said at a programme on wind power Friday that the government has allocated some money to begin work in this regard. Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) under the ministry."Twenty megawatt of electricity will be generated through wind energy around Kathmandu valley through public-private-partnership model," reads the budget. Likewise, wind energy generation will be expanded through other possible sectors, it said. "A study has shown that around 70 MW of electricity can be generated through wind power around Kathmandu valley alone," said Bharat Poudel, an engineer at AEPC. At present, AEPC has set up two wind turbine generators in Pyuthan district and each generates 400 watts of electricity. Two more units are under-construction at the place. Some other organizations have also installed a few more of such units in different districts, according to AEPC.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com, 24 OctoberTOILET USE CAMPAIGN
A campaign for children, youth and elderly has been started to change the habit of people who defecate in the open despite having concrete toilet in their homes. The campaigners visit all houses every day, monitor toilet and teach children and elderly people how to use toilet. They have made a rule to fine open defecator. The campaigners have stated that it was very difficult to make people use toilet. “It took a lot of time and hard work to make the elderly people use toilet who had been defecating in the open from their childhood,” said Krishnabati Verma, president of the campaign. “We believe that our campaign will succeed as people are gradually making a habit of using toilet,” she added. A local Chandrabhan Harijan said that the campaigners teach the local people to wash hands with soap and water or ash and water after using toilet.
Source: Kantipur, 25 OctoberSCHOOL AREA DECLARED OPEN DEFECATION FREE
The Rudra Lower Secondary School at Tarkughat Village Development Committee of eastern Lamjung has declared its surrounding area an open defecation free zone. The junior Redcross Circle in school made the declaration amidst a programme organized on the occasion of International Year of Sanitation (IYS) 2008. With declaration of open defecation free zone, the students and members of junior Redcross Circle have made rules for the locals, school management committee, students and teachers to discourage and penalize open defaecation. Not only the school area but all wards of the Tarkughat VDC will be declared an open defecation free zones in the coming days.
Source: Rajdhani, 24 OctoberSOLAR ENERGY THROUGH COOPERATIVE
Micro Farmer Development Cooperation decided to distribute solar panels to the cooperative members in Sankhuwasabha district. 1100 solar panels will be distributed through four banks in 6 districts of Nepal. This program aimed to provide solar electricity to the deprived farmers, cooperative members who are unable to afford solar panel, said Hari Prasad Subedi, president, Alternative Energy Cooperative Panchthar. He also said that these cooperative members will be directly linked with four banks of the district. It has been estimated that 21 cooperatives of different district will distribute about 50 solar panels to the cooperative members annually.
Source: Kantipur, 1 November (Retrieved from CENews)FLOOD AFFECTED COMPELLED TO DRINK RIVER WATER
The flood-affected people of Kanchanpur are compelled to drink the river water due to unavailability of drinking water taps near the temporary built after the loss of their houses and land by the flood. Hundreds of victims of flood are drinking the river water because of lack of proper management of pure drinking water. According to them, some of the people having political access can get pure water. More than 150 families of Krishnapur VDC ward no.2, which is located on an island surrounded by river as well as forest from all sides, are drinking the water of the Macheli River. One of the resident of the island, Laxmi Chaudhari said, “Although the water is impure, we are obliged to drink the water because we have to go one kilometer far across the forest and the river to get pure water.” The people living in the shelter huts of Gwalawari and Gwasi community forests as well as Lal Jhadi Rastriya Forest are disappointed due to the government’s negligence towards them. The locals of Dekhatbhuli VDC are forced to have the river water after the same river swept away their houses. The consumers of the community forest did not permit them to dwell in the community forest.
Source: The Rising Nepal, 10 November
:: GLOBAL NEWS ::
110,000 CHILDREN UNDER FIVE DIE EVERY YEAR DUE TO WATERBORNE DISEASES
‘The Daily Star’, an English daily has stated that 111,000 children under the age of five die in Bangladesh every year due to water borne diseases. According to official health statistics, 65 million children under the age of five are affected by water borne diseases because of lack of sanitation. The United Nations (UN) sources stated that rapid urbanization and population growth are threatening one of the UN's most ambitious millennium development goals. The UN had hoped to halve the number of people without access to clean drinking water and sanitation by 2015. However, World Health Organization and UNICEF stated that progress has slowed due to uncontrolled population growth and unexpectedly high migration to urban areas. They estimated that some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack clean drinking water. Similarly, some 2.6 billion people have no sanitation and every year 1.6 million children under the age of five die due to lack of sanitation.
Source: Annapurna Post; Kantipur; Rajdhani, 10 NovemberINDIA: CITIES TOLD TO COME OUT WITH SANITATION PLANS IN 2 YRS
States and cities in the country will have to come out with their sanitation strategies in the next two years, according to a national urban sanitation policy unveiled by the government today. The strategies would be prepared with the financial help from the Urban Development Ministry, which has funds worth about Rs 50,000 crore for the purpose under the Eleventh Plan. Implementation of the strategies would be through the public-private partnership (PPP) route, aid from Plan funds and multilateral aid, Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran said today. “The total scale of the requirement will be known as and when states and cities come up with individual plans,” he said.
Source: http://sanitationupdates.wordpress.com, 13 NovemberCLIMATE CHANGE MAY DROWN CITIES
People in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, prefer to commute in three-wheeled autorickshaws, taxis and buses that run on compressed natural gas (CNG), in their bid to slow down global warming. CNG produces a lower level of greenhouse gases and is an environmentally cleaner alternative to petrol. Dhaka's residents are among the most vulnerable to global warming and don't want to become "climate terrorists". The city is among more than 3,000 identified by the UN-Habitat's State of the World's Cities 2008/09 as facing the prospect of sea level rise and surge-induced flooding. The report warns policymakers, planners and the world at large that few coastal cities will be spared the effects of global warming. Dhaka is preparing for flood protection. The government, prompted by frequent flooding in the 1980s, has already completed embankments, reinforced concrete walls and pumping stations in the most densely populated part of the city. Studies, are warning that even the 2-degree threshold may likely not be safe enough to avoid "global disaster".
Source: http://www.enn.com/climate/article/38493, 25 OctoberDOW’S REUSE OF MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER WINS 2008 ICIS INNOVATION AWARD
The Dow Chemical Company’s re-use of municipal wastewater at its Benelux site in Terneuzen, The Netherlands was named the winner of the Most Innovative Corporate Social Responsibility Project in the 2008 ICIS Innovation Awards. The site uses treated household wastewater to produce high pressure steam and, as recycled water, in its cooling tower. This is [claimed to be] the first time that municipal wastewater is being re-used on such a large scale in the industry, exceeding 2.6 million gallons per day. The project is the result of [a public-private partnership] between Dow, the water treatment provider Evides and the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen Water Board. Dow already wants to replicate the approach in other regions such as the Middle East and China, where water is “the most precious commodity.”
Source: http://washtech.wordpress.com/, 13 November
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