Public Sanitation in ‘South Asia’

The special Discussion program titled “South Asian Exchange on Public Sanitation” was held on Dhaka, Capital of Bangladesh.  

The program was organized with the aim of discussion about the status of public sanitation in the South Asian countries specially Nepal-India and Bangladesh.  The representatives from the governments, concerned authorities and stakeholders participated in the program. The on-site observation was done by these three counties’ governments, authorities and stakeholders to observe the status of public sanitation and status of existing public toilets in Nepal-India and Bangladesh. During an On-site observation; public toilets of the Dhaka, Capital of Bangladesh, many public toilets of India and Nepal were visited and observed.  The program wasn’t only followed by the on-site visit but also followed by the discussion on how to make public sanitation better in the South Asian Countries, how South Asian Countries can achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specially in WASH, ongoing and upcoming various activities, Challenges, achievements, progress and things to be done in coming days in the sector of sanitation.

Firstly, on-site observation was held in India. The status of existing public toilets and status of public sanitation in India was observe and explored. The review about the work progress in public sanitation in India was also happened. At second, on-site observation was held in existing public toilets in Nepal and review regarding the work progress on public sanitation in Nepal. In the review program held in Nepal; the governments, concerned stakeholders and authorities were highlighted the present condition of public sanitation in Nepal and things to be done in upcoming days in this sector. The discussion was also made in the matter of mutual collaboration and cooperation among South Asian Countries. Thirdly, public toilets existing in Gulsan 2, Dhaka were also visited and observed.  These public toilets seem much managed. Public Toilets have been constructing in Dhaka and this work has getting continuation too. This is also given priority by the local government of the Bangladesh.

An experience was shared by the representatives from the three countries after observing and exploring the status of public toilets and status of work progress in these three countries. The major agenda of an experience sharing was based on review and things to be done in upcoming days in the sector of public sanitation. In this Experience Sharing Program on Public Sanitation; the important presence took place by the governments, concerned agencies and stakeholders from the three countries’. In the program, Mayors and stakeholders from Nepal-India and Bangladesh have shared their own experience and opinion regarding future course of action in the sector of public sanitation.

Govind Shrestha of Water Aid Nepal said that there is a structure of public toilets in Nepal, but there is no management system. There is a guideline in Dhaka, but it has not been made in our country. Technology has also been used in Bangladesh, but it has not been used in Nepal.

Similarly, Gajendra Maharjan, head of Godawari Municipality, said that now smart toilets will be made in Godavari municipality and the necessary budget has been allocated for that.

Similarly, the head of Lalitpur Metropolitan the condition of public toilets in Nepal is satisfactory and should be expanded further. Municipality, Chiribabu Maharjan, said that he will also talk about how public toilets can be made effective and that people can easily use clean and convenient toilets at the Kathmandu Mayor’s Forum and will proceed by implementing them. Likewise, the mayors representing India also said that

Gundusudha Rani, Mayor of Warangal Municipal Corporation, Telangana, said that all South Asian countries should work together for public toilets and sanitation.

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  Similarly, the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Atiqul Islam, said that public toilets in Nepal are more developed than in Europe. He said that in Europe we have to pay for using the toilet, but in Nepal we don’t have to pay. He said, we are all in the direction of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and we must achieve it. He also added, this program is very important to learn about public sanitation practices from South Asian Countries especially in Nepal-India and Bangladesh and adopt, exchange good practices among each other’s countries. He said; Nepal and Bangladesh have a very good relationship and there is much possibility to work in future in collaboration and cooperation.