India: Toilets that churn gold for the soil in Bihar
`ecosan` (ecological sanitation) toilets known as
phaydemand shauchalaya
not only provide sanitation, but also control groundwater pollution and generate
humanure and urine for agricultural us.
It started in Kairi, a Tharu tribe village of 138 families in Paschchim Champaran, Bihar
by a local resident Yogendra Nath, about two years ago. Cost of toilet was Rs. 18,015;
of which Rs. 12,000 was funded by government.
These toilets not only provide hygienic place for defecation, but also support agriculture
practices. On an average, the annual faecal matter and urine of one human being contains
4.6 nitrogen, 0.6 kg phosphorous and .1.3 kg potassium. These toilet recycle them.
In two years time, 31 ecosan toilets have together generated 108 quintals of humanure
and 24,900 liters of urine, which has been supplied in the fields.The saving of Rs. 12,000
resulted due to stoppage of buying chemical fertilisers per year.
Sunder Thadani. 20170123.
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