ICEH Papers

 

A SILENT REVOLUTION FOR HEALTHY LIVING IN THE SLUMS OF TIRUCHI

Ganapathy, V. “A Silent Revolution For Healthy Living In The Slums Of Tiruchi” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 138 – 142.


Abstract:

Squalor, Lack of Protected water, Clogged drains, Open Defecation, ill-lit and ill-ventilated huts have been making the Quality of Life of slum dwellers very poor. The lack of basic amenities and job opportunities in rural areas lead to an exodus of the rural folk to towns where slums mushroom without Protected water, drainage or toilet facilities. Further, the apathy and inability of the authorities due to humanitarian and political considerations, worsen the environment in the slums, which are not at all conducive for to healthy living. The slum dwellers have been suffering many water borne and respiratory diseases and the worst sufferers have been the children in the slums.

At Long last in Tiruchi and other towns a silent revolution has started, thanks to the efforts of the highly committed NGOs, progressive bureaucrats and properly motivated residents of these very slums. The younger generation of the population in these slums have realised that the unhygienic and unhealthy environment in which they live robbed them of their meager daily wages and further forced them to spend between Rs.10 & Rs.20 for medical expenses everyday. Due to the constant and persistent campaign by NGO’s the slum dwellers are aware that open defecation and absence of protected water are the greatest enemies to a healthy life. In Tiruchi alone, over 25,000 slum dwellers are prepared to pay 50 Paise every time they use the toilet everyday. The Self Help Groups of women who are fully in charge of the maintenance of the toilets have also begun to understand the need for Solid Waste Management Programmes to improve the environment in the slums. There is an urgent need to make this beginning a mass movement for upgrading the quality of life in our slums.

View Full Format (pdf)

Back to Papers