EXPECTATION OR REALITY: A PERFORMANCE HISTORY OF SANITATION IN PURULIA DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL

Abstract

Background: Achieving safe sanitation under Sustainable Development Goals (target 6.2) by 2030 continues to be a challenge as the complexities faced by an individual to achieve safe sanitation remains unexplored. Although West Bengal has not come under high policy care of Swachha Bharat Mission (SBM) than Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa but Purulia is a district of WB (Highest Open Defecation) practice is of national level importance because of its high defecation rate.

Objectives: The main purpose of the study is to highlight the actual scenario of sanitation across the district and compare the performance of sanitation mainly OD, Open Defecation Free (ODF) among block & district with the help of census, baseline data of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) and field survey.

Material and methods: This particular study was conducted in 175 villages of three sub - divisions in Purulia district using of stratified random sampling, semi structure questionnaire and in-depth interviews. After surveying a total 1240 families, a master table has been created with SPSS software to illustrate the current sanitation situation. From census and SBM data, various thematic maps have been made on OD through ArcGIS, at the end, the current condition of government toilets has been highlighted by DSLR & mobile cameras.

Results: It has been found that about 86% of families in Purulia regularly still use the open defecation outside of their room. There are complaints from many families about Government toilet; many are using it for other ancillary purposes.