Australian High Commission promotes eco-friendly toilets and food security on World Environment Day in Bangladesh
In the spirit of promoting and protecting the environment as well as ensuring improved sanitation for rural dwellers, the Australian High Commissioner, Mr Douglas Foskett, handed over a cheque for Taka 7.7 lac to the Society for Peoples’ Actions in Change and Equity (SPACE) on the occasion of World Environment Day 2008.
This project is the second phase of SPACE’s already existing project on Ecological sanitation, which was also funded by the Australian Government earlier this year. The additional funds will support building another sixty EcoSan toilets in Gazipur district, part of an innovative sanitation system that is sustainable, cost effective, and environmentally friendly. EcoSan toilets can also be used to produce organic fertilizers. SPACE will provide the owners of the installed toilets training on proper utilization, maintenance, and management of ecological sanitation.
Even without the effects of climate change, a significant number of areas in Bangladesh suffer severe flooding annually. This can often have a devastating impact on sanitation, water supplies and the health of local inhabitants. EcoSan toilets, which will replace pit latrines in Saishatpara and Patharpara village, are flood resistant and will ensure areas and water systems are not polluted by effluent, thereby improving the health prospects of rural communities. EcoSan toilets also have a much longer life span than pit latrines. Although more expensive, EcoSan toilets are expected to last for 15-20 years making them much more cost-effective than other rural sanitation solutions.
The toilets have an added benefit which is becoming increasingly important as food and fertilizer prices rise. Human waste collected in the toilets will be treated naturally and through the addition of ash will produce an organic fertiliser that will help ensure chemical free food security and could even create employment opportunities for poor women through homestead gardening. The absence of chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides in agricultural production will also have a positive impact on rural health and the environment.
The Australian High Commission sees EcoSan toilets as a win-win solution to rural sanitation and hygiene and is very proud to be a supporter of this project. It encourages more villages, especially those in flood-prone areas, to build their own Eco-San toilets.
Happy World Environment Day!
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
04 June 2008
For further information please contact:
Sharmin Farhana Rahman
Senior Political & Economic Research Officer, AHC, Dhaka.
Tel: 8813105, E-mail: [email protected]