Thiruvananthapuram: Sikkim became the first state to be declared Open Defecation-Free (ODF) on January 1 – just a year and two months after the ODF campaign was launched. Over 10,000 toilets were built during the time, which seems an easy target, especially as the state has a culture of using toilets. However, there were mountains to climb to achieve the status. For one, the nearest market which sells building materials is Siliguri in West Bengal, and transport through the mountain roads is costly. Roshni Rai, additional district collector of Pakyong east district, told DC that they then decided to work with what was available locally.
Even the ideas were organic – in some cases the traditional ‘Ikra’ structures were used to make toilets. “Their earthquake resilience is being studied by experts,” said Rai. There were other impediments. Even if there were toilets, some lacked sanitation. Landlords would not encourage tenants to build any permanent structure, even a toilet, for fear that the latter would lay claim on the property. The government’s strategy was to link various benefits to functional toilets, according to Benu Gurung, additional district collector of Namchi south district.
“With a toilet, one would get trade licence, pensions and scholarships. Without it, one would not get any,” said Gurung. They conducted field visits to spread awareness on functional toilets. “We visited factories to talk to migrant labourers as well,” said Gurung. However, the real success of the programme was in the fact that the panchayats owned the programme, according to Gurung. Should there be the slightest trace of open defecation anywhere, the grama panchayats now rush to action ensuring that toilets are built, she said.
