"Clean toilets are essential for a clean mind": The story behind the Appa Patwardhan Safai Wa Paryawaran Tantraniketan, Maharashtra

Dr. Mapuskar has been working in the field of rural sanitation for the last 50 years. He implemented the principles of appropriate technology and community ownership at a time when these were not part of the national consciousness. Today he continues to be active in the field, advocating the use of decentralised, low cost sanitation options. This article presents his  story and a film about his organisation.

'Sanitation - An essential lifestyle' showcases the work done by the Appa Patwardhan Safai Wa Paryawaran Tantraniketan (Video courtesy: Appa Patwardhan Safai Wa Paryawaran Tantraniketan)

The beginning:

That young man was Dr. Mapuskar. Just out of college, he had approached the Directorate of Health Services for a job. The only one was in a village called Dehu, he was told. The young man agreed and moved there. After that memorable first night- and morning- his first self-appointed task was to excavate a simple trench toilet for himself. Used medicine cartons formed the walls of this toilet. The next was to start a revolution.

Dehu, on the banks of the river Indrayani, is a peaceful setting for a sanitation revolution (Photo: Chicu Lokgariwar)

Early efforts:

The turning point:

The village conducted a massive awareness campaign with processions, household visits, group discussions etc. The procession organised during this campaign ended with a massive meeting attended by nearly all the villagers. A decision to construct Appasaheb Patwardhan's 'sopa sandas' toilets was passed at this meeting. A toilet construction committee was appointed for the actual implementation, with a secretary to manage funds. Households desiring to build  a toilet came and deposited Rs. 400/- with the secretary. Any leftover money was handed back to the families. On this no-profit-no-loss principle, 100 toilets were built in a month. By 1980, the village had achieved 90% coverage.

Village processions like these helped create awareness (Photo: Dr. Mapuskar)

Next steps:

Dr. Mapuskar explaining the principles of the sopa sandas (Photo: Chicu Lokgariwar)

Later, decentralised on-site integrated waste management (DOSIWAM) was developed and is now implemented in 25 sites across the country. Dr. Mapuskar also set up two organisations, the Jyotsna Aarogya Prabodhan and the Appasaheb Tantraniketan to work on health awareness and appropriate technology. The team has also been working on biogas composters for vegetable waste, monitoring for the Sant Gadgebaba Abhiyaan, and lobbying for policy change in the field of sanitation and hygiene.