| Abstract |
The RWSSP‐WN has been implemented since 2008 in 54 VDC´s (Village Development Committees) of nine districts in western Nepal. The project decided to pilot an approach "Community Led Total Behaviour Change (CLTBCHS) in Hygiene and Sanitation" in these VDC´s. In this approach local bodies are facilitated and local people are trained to ignite and trigger people to build ECOSAN toilets, use human shit after composting and urine as organic fertiliser. A total of 553 community level structures and systems have been mobilized for the purpose. In total 6700 community level sanitation triggers (49% female) have been trained out of the population of 430,000 in 56,000 households in the project VDC´s. Economic development and energy saving by using human shit to produce bio‐gas activities
are also implemented. An integrated community led ecological sanitation and sustainable livelihoods activities has been implemented which helps to mitigate the diverse pressures on the unique Agriculture Ecosystem, and help to ensure that the livelihood needs of local community members are adequately addressed—both through the development of improved agriculture, energy saving and environmental management practices. The ecological sanitation promotes the agricultural products, creates hygienic and sanitized community, income generation and improved the livelihood of the people. Research shows that the result of use of human shit and urine gives agriculture production four times more than use of chemical fertilizer (imported urea in Nepal ) . The experience tells that each VDC of Nepal is spending money about USD 5800( i.e in average 10 kg/HH x USD 0.58 = USD 5.8 x 1000 HHs = USD 5800.) to buy chemical fertiliser per year. If we calculate this figure for 3915 VDCs , the amount will be USD. 227,6000,0. each year, As a result, it is assumed that the faecal sludge management , food security and energy saving within the project working area has greatly improved resulting into a reduction in morbidity and mortality of hygiene and sanitation related diseases per year . One example, Mr. Bal bahadur Thapa of Mahendrakot VDC of Kapilvastu district has been able to make a profit of about USD 580 per year utilizing the "shit" and "urine" in his kitchen garden and many more which he has been using to educate his daughter in bachelors' and son in masters' degree in Tribhuvan University, Nepal. The lesion learnt from this approach can be replicated in other districts aiming to overcome from the 43% sanitation coverage and reduce poverty in Nepal.[authors abstract]
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