Book Description

Environmental Sanitation and Eradication of Scavenging in India is a comprehensive sociological treatise based on extraordinary research by Bindeshwar Pathak. The book presents an in-depth understanding of the evolution of sanitation movement coupled with an account of a social awakening for the emancipation of manual scavengers, formerly known as 'untouchables', who faced severe discrimination as they belonged to the lowest stratum of India's caste-based society. It attempts at a comprehensive critique of the policies and programme of environmental sanitation and liberation of scavengers. In the overall context of environmental sanitation and eradication of scavenging, it aims at studying the historical context in which scavenging originated and developed; examining its linkages with ecology, health, hygiene and environmental sanitation; probing into various reformative and rehabilitative measures undertaken by a good number of social reformers, voluntary action groups, Governmental and international agencies for the liberation and social up-gradation of scavengers; analyzing the policies, programme and problems of low-cost sanitation schemes by Central and State governments; underscoring the pioneering efforts of Sulabh International and its outstanding achievements in the field of environmental sanitation and eradication of scavenging; describing and discussing the relevance of sanitation movement in the liberation of scavengers and the linkages of the liberation programme to the improvement in environmental sanitation; presenting an overarching view of the constraints in the implementation of policies envisioning a better environmental sanitation scenario and a brighter future for the scavengers; and finally, furnishing a sociological perspective on all important dimensions of environmental sanitation and eradication of scavenging in India. It also provides a definitive account of the ideas behind the invention of a two-pit toilet technology that eventually led to the creation and growth of the prestigious social organisation Sulabh International. Sulabh toilets later became a household name in India, and its designs are recognized as a globally accepted solution to the problems and challenges of providing affordable toilets to the millions of people around the world. The United Nations for Human Settlements has recognised Sulabh toilets as "cost-effective and appropriate sanitation system". It was also accepted by the Government of India, UNICEF, World Bank UNDP, WHO, etc. The book presents a comprehensive perspective on the sanitation and eradication of scavenging in India, with the solution on how to holistically tackle them by combining political and administrative will, community participation and use of affordable technology.