http://doi.org/10.33698/NRF0051 – Reena Christopher, Indarjit Walia, Sushma Kumari Saini
Abstract: The present study was undertaken to describe the environment profile of Dadu Majra Colony. The residential area of the colony was divided into area-1 to area-9, which had 70 lanes and 64 parks. Apart from these nine areas there were 10 streets, 7 markets, a government school, a dispensary and 2 jhuggis (Vijay colony 1 and 2). An observation checklist and an interview schedule was prepared to collect data. Three observations were made at the difference of 10 days and 100 respondents were interviewed. It was observed that almost all the areas had open dumping except area 5 (parks and lanes) and area 4 (parks). There were only four public bins and sanitary condition of public bins was very poor. Two third (67%) responded told about non availability of bins. Flies were observed in all the areas over openly dumped and littered refuse. Out of total 11 public toilets condition of mobile van near Jhuggi (Vijay colony 1) was very poor and people were not using it. Two toilets in the market were kept locked and it was forcing shop keepers to urinate in open. Except two Jhuggis there was closed system of drainage. The drain of jhuggis and street 7 were overflowing. Out of 35 man holes 25 were covered. There were 5 public taps and 35 hand pumps in Dadu Majra Colony. Out of 5 public taps the sanitary condition of public tap of Jhuggi was very poor. Out of 35 hand pumps only 20 hand pumps had handle and the sanitary condition of 12 hand pumps was very poor. All the lanes and streets were metalled except 3 lanes. But the condition of focus and lanes was not good. Domestic and stray cattles were observed in all the areas except Government School. Most of parks and lanes were used for tying animals and keeping birds. Dadu Majra Louny had good vegetation. Weeds growth was observed in all area except area 2, 5 streets and markets. There was adequate natural light in the colony.
Key words: Environment, Sanitary Conditions, Colony
Introduction
Man’s nature and progress is shaped by the environment in which he is born, lives, grows and works. There is constant interaction between human and environment. Environment can be friendly as well as hazardous to human. A stable and harmonious equilibrium between man and Environment is needed to reduce man’s vulnerability to disease and permit him to lead a more productive and satisfying life. When this equilibrium disturbs ill health results.
Man is constantly altering his environment by his activities such as urbanisation, deforestation etc. This has resulted in air, water and soil pollution which can further lead to ill health of man. The greatest threat to human health is through over increasing unplanned urbanisation, growth of slums and deterioration of environment by polluting soil with unhygienic disposal of human excreta and refuse, poor housing, unsafe water and destruction of green cover. To understand the health status of a community it is important to know the environment of that place. Keeping it in mind a descriptive study was done in Dadu Majra Colony with the objective to describe the environment profile of Dadu Majra Colony, Chandigarh.
Material and methods
The present study was undertaken in Dadu Majra Colony, Chandigarh. It is situated ” Northwest Corner of Chandigarh and is at a distance of 5 kilometers from PGIMER, Chandigarh and 6 kilometers from Inter State Bus Terminal of Chandigarh.
Dadu Majra Colony is well equipped with all modern sanitary facilities like underground drainage system, tap water supply, electricity and other amenities like market, primary and secondary school and an adult education centre. There is an allopathic dispensary and a number of private practitioners, 17 anganwadis and a crèche.
Near the colony there is a large dumping ground where the Chandigarh city garbage is dumped daily. Dimensions of Dadu Majra Colony are 1.6 kilometers and 1.1 kilometer i.e. 1.76 square kilometers area. It inhabits a population of 16,500 having 8800 males and 7700 females (census 2001). Map of Dadu Majra Colony was prepared after surveying the colony. The residential area of colony was divided into areas-1 to area -9. These nine areas had 72 lanes and 64 parks. Apart from these nine areas there were 10 streets, one dispensary, one government school, 2 jhuggis (Vijay Colony I & II) and 7 markets adjacent to area 1, area 3, area 4, area 5, area 7, area 8 and area 9 (Fig-1). To get the information regarding maintenance of environment sanitation in Dadu Majra a total 100 residents were interviewed (34 males and 66 females). An observational check list was prepared and three observations were made in each area at the gap of 10 days in a period of two months i.e. January and February 2003.
Findings
It was observed that waste was dumped openly in the parks and lanes of all the areas except area 5 (park and lanes) and area 8 (parks). Even in dispensary and schools refuse was dumped openly. Refused was littered in all the areas except area 4 (parks). Bad odour was being emitted from refuse in four streets. The condition of two jhuggi’s (Vijay Colon I & II) was the worst among all the areas (Table-I). Two third of respondent (66%) expressed that garbage was disposed in open areas.
There were only four public bins in the colony and sanitary condition of all the bins was very poor. Refuse was littered around all the bins. All were uncovered and were emitting bad odour. One of the bins was rusted. Out of 100 respondents interviewed 67 told about non availability of public bins in their area. Among other 33 respondents who said about availability of public bins 22 (66.7%) stated that public bins were emptied weekly. Flies were observed in all area over openly dumped and littered refuse.
Regarding collection of refuse by safai karamcharis, 41 respondents revealed that refuse was collected daily whereas 35 said that no safai karamchari comes to their area. Another 8 responded for alternate day collection, 12 for weekly collection and 4 respondents told that it was collected once a month. There were 11 public toilets in the colony. Out of them only one mobile toilet van was there is one Jhuggi (Vijay Colony I). The sanitary condition of the van was very poor. Refuse was littered around its and water was stagnant around it. It was emitting bad odour and was not used by the residents. Four fixed toilets were there in the market. Among them two were kept locked which led the shopkeepers to urinate in open.
Table 1: Observations on sanitary conditions of Dadu Majra Colony
| Areas | Places observed | Open dumping | Littered refuse | Bad odour | |||||
| A | P | A | P | A | P | ||||
| Lanes
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 Area 9 |
72
13 8 10 5 4 6 14 5 7 |
10 6 10 4 – 4 5 3 6 |
3 2 – 1 4 2 9 2 1 |
– 8 10 5 4 6 14 5 7 |
13 – – – – – – – – |
– – – – – – – – – |
13 8 10 5 4 6 14 5 7 |
||
| Street | 10 | 10 | – | 10 | – | 4 | 6 | ||
| Parks | 64 | ||||||||
| Area 1
Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 Area 9 |
11
6 9 5 4 6 12 4 7 |
2
3 5 2 – 1 1 – 2 |
9
3 4 3 4 5 11 4 5 |
2
5 9 – 4 6 12 4 7 |
9
1 – 5 – – – – – |
–
3 – – – – – – – |
11
3 9 5 4 6 12 4 7 |
||
| Markets | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 | – | – | 7 | ||
| Govt. School | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | ||
| Dispensary | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | ||
| Jhuggis | 2 | 2 | – | 2 | – | 2 | – | ||
P – Present
A – Absent
Other two toilets in area 3 & 8 marked had also littered refuse around it. Sanitary condition of the rest of the toilets i.e. in Government school and Dispensary was god. (Table-2) forty eight respondents expressed that the public toilets were available in the area. Among them 27 (56.3%) emphasized that toilets were utilized and kept clean.
Table 2: Type, placement and sanitary condition of public toilets of Dadu Majra Colony
| Type, placement and sanitary condition of public toilets | N=11 |
| Mobile van
§ Jhuggi Fixed toilets § Markets § Government school § Government dispensary Sanitary condition of toilets § Emission of bad odour § Littered refuse around the toilets § Stagnant water around the toilets § clean |
1
4 3 3
1 3 1 6 |
There was closed drainage system in all the areas except jhuggis. The drain of both jhuggis and street number 7 were over flowing. As per respondents opinion closed drains were occasionally blocked. Almost all the manholes were covered except 10 manholes which had no lid (4) or broken lid (6). Leakage of pipelines was observed in 3 streets which were repaired in next observation. Most of respondents (82%). reported that drainage pipes were occasionally blocked and it was cleared only on complain.
There were 5 public taps and 35 hand pumps in Dadu Majra Colony. Out of 5 public taps two were in market, 1 each in Jhuggi (Vijay Colony I), Dispensary and Government School. The sanitary condition of public tap of Jhuggi was very poor. Public tap in Government School was non functional, but there were 2 steel tank with tap attached were placed for drinking purposes. Out of 35 hand pumps 7 were in parks, 4 in lanes, 6 in market, 2 in Government School and 16 in Jhuggis. Only 20 hand pumps had handle and the sanitary condition of 12 hand pumps was very poor. A total 10 streets and 72 lanes were observed. Three were no roads in two Jhuggis. All the lanes and streets were metalled except 3 lanes. But the condition of roads and lanes was not good. Six streets and all the lanes had pits filled with stagnant water. About half of the respondents (53) revealed that roads were repaired every five years.
Domestic and stray cattles were observed in all the areas except Government School. No tied animals were observed in Government School and dispensary. Most of parks and lanes were used for tying animals and keeping birds. Cattle shed were observed in 4 areas, one market and both Jhuggis. The animals observed were buffalos, cows, horses, goats, dogs, pigs, rabbits, cats and sheeps. Pet birds were observed in all the areas except area 8, Government School, dispensary and five markets. Pens were observed in 6 areas, 2 markets and both Jhuggis. The pet birds observed were hens, cocks, ducks and parrots (Table-3). Three fourth respondents (78) stated about stray animal menace and another 22 respondents said that they did not have any problem from stray cattle. Animal excreta were observed in all streets and lanes. Only 5 parks, 2 markets and Government School were free from animal excreta.
Dadu Majra Colony had good vegetation. There were total 1269 trees and 829 plants in the colony which were ornamental as well as fruit bearing. Most of trees and plants were private. Public trees and plants were there in dispensary, Government School and same of the streets. Weeds growth was observed in all areas except area 2,5 streets and 6 markets. There was adequate natural light in the colony.
Discussion
In the present study the refuse was observed dumped openly in all the areas of Dadu Majra Colony. The condition of two Jhuggis (Vijay Colony I & II) was worst among all the areas (Table-1). Even two third (66%) of respondents said that garbage was disposed in open areas. Literature supports that domestic garbage in the three resettlement colonies of Delhi is dumped in various places such as masonary, dalas, along nalas, parks, schools and roads3. Hindustan Times correspondent reported that Southern Sectors of Chandigarh have filth stream over the inside roads as well as backside the market places4. In another report Hindustan Times correspondent reported that Khuda Ali Sher Village faces poor sanitation conditions. Villagers complained of poor sanitation and reported that garbage was not cleared for days together.
Regarding refuse collection 35% respondents said that it was never collected while 41% said that it was collected daily. Forty five respondents responded that no safai karamchari came to clean their area. Another 12% respondents reported irregularity in cleaning their areas. Similarly in the interim report it was reported that in India certain important roads and markets are swept daily, some are swept on alternate days, twice a week, once a week depending upon concentration of population activities. It was further commented that streets seeping to clean cities has failed miserably in urban India. The Hindustan Times Chandigarh correspondent had also reported that contrary to tall claims of Municipality authorities in maintaining sanitation in Mohali, all the rehri markets in the township present grim picture of Municipal Corporations, Safai Karamcharis rarely pay a visit to markets.
Table 3: presence of animals, cattles, pet birds and pens in Dadu Majra Colony
| Areas | Number | Stray Animals | Tied Animals | Cattle shed | Pet birds | Pens | |||||
| P | A | P | A | P | A | P | A | P | A | ||
| Lanes
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 Area 9 |
13 8 10 5 4 6 14 5 7 |
13 8 10 5 4 6 11 5 7 |
– – – – – – 3 – – |
8 3 3 3 2 1 6 3 1 |
5 5 7 2 2 5 8 2 6 |
– 1 1 – – – – – – |
13 7 9 5 4 6 14 5 7 |
13 4 4 2 3 6 12 – 2 |
– 4 6 3 1 – 2 5 5 |
– – 1 – 1 2 2 – – |
13 8 9 5 3 4 12 5 7 |
| Parks
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 Area 9 |
11 6 9 5 4 6 12 4 7 |
10 6 8 5 3 5 10 4 7 |
1 – 1 – 1 1 2 – – |
4 4 4 3 1 3 5 1 3 |
7 2 5 2 3 3 7 3 4 |
– 2 – – – – – – 1 |
11 4 9 5 4 6 12 4 6 |
11 5 2 4 3 5 11 2 3 |
– 1 7 1 1 1 1 2 4 |
4 – – – 1 1 1 1 – |
7 6 9 5 3 5 11 3 7 |
| Markets | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Govt. school | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Dispensary | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jhuggis | 2 | 2 | – | 2 | – | 2 | – | 2 | – | 2 | – |
P – Present
A – Absent
It was observed that there were only 4 public bins in the colony and sanitary condition of these bins was worst. Two third (67%) of respondents reported that there was no public bin in the area and another 27% responded reported that public bins were inadequate. Out of 22 respondents who said public bins were available 22 (66.7%) said that it was emptied weekly. It has been stated in literature that in India people are expected to dump the refuse in the nearest public bin which is usually not done. Refuse is dispersed all along the streets and even thrown in front and around the houses!
Out of total 11 public toilets in Dadu Majra Colony, 2 toilets in the market were kept locked which led the shopkeepers to urinate in open. One mobile van was there in Jhuggis (Vijay Colony 1). The sanitary condition of which was very poor and people were not using it. Other toilets were clean and maintained. About half (48%) respondents also told that the toilets were kept clean. A study in housing and morbidity profile of 500 families in 5 villagers of Macchra, District Meerut reported that 82.7% of females were using open fields for defection. Another survey conducted by operation research group in 1981 in Rajkot reported that 28% of subjects were using open spare for defection and 20 percent were using public toilets? Sulabh International also runs more than 70,000 public toilets in India and daily around 5 million Indians make use of this facility 10. It has been also reported that open defecation was common in most of sectors of Chandigarh and the fringe settlement emit foul smell all the times11
In present study open drains were observed only in two Jhuggis (Vijay Colony 1 & II) and rest of the colony had close drainage system with sewage. Only in one of the street the blocked drains were over flowing and 60% respondents stated that the drains were cleaned and repaired on complaint only. Literature showed that in all slums of Delhi open drains are chocked with garbage, sullage. The drains do not seem to have adequate slope and as such remain full of filthy water and continue to overflow3. The Hindustan Times Chandigarh correspondent has also reported that the slum colonies in the city are on the brink of an epidemic with blocked sewage12. As per report of correspondent of Hindustan Times Chandigarh, Navodaya Vidalaya Sector-25 had a blocked sewerage a few yards away from the school causing unsanitary conditioners 13. It was further observed that out of 35 manholes 25 were covered in Dadu Majra Colony. Only four manholes had no lid and 6 had broken lid.
Regarding water supply in the present study it was observed that Dadu Majra Colony had total 5 public taps and 35 hand pumps, out of which 16 hand pumps were in two jhuggis. Regarding public taps, five taps were observed in the colony. Sanitary condition of the public taps situated in Jhuggi was very poor. Hindustan Times Chandigarh correspondent had also reported that residents of Colony No. 5 had installed hand pump near sewarage line. Health Department had put ban on the use of hand pump after the out break of cholera but people were still using those hand pumps.
Animals were observed wandering in all the areas of colony. Many parks were being used for tying animals which has affected sanitary condition of parks. Animal excreta were observed in almost all the streets and parks which was attracting flies and creating bad odours. Even 78% respondents reported about the problem of stray cattle. The literature also highlighted that low rate of garbage clearance in three resettlement colonies of Delhi had lead to several diseases through the presence of stray animals like cow, pigs, dogs etc. The correspondent of Hindustan Times Chandigarh had also talked about the representation on stray cattle menace check. Followed by it in a drive launched by Municipal Corporation in Sept 2002, 84 animals were rounded in the city. Two horses were rounded from Dadu Majra Colony.
Flies were observed almost every where in colony. As per report from correspondent of The Tribune Dadu Majra Colony and Sector-38 west of city have came under a sudden assault by disease – spreading flies. This was one of the reasons why cholera spread in Dadu Majra Colony and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony in July 2002.
Almost all the roads except 3 lanes were metalled but the conditions of roads were good which were filled with stagnant water. Correspondent of Hindustan Times Chandigarh has reported that roads in so of the city’s commercial area are in urgent need of repair. In another report HT correspondent Chandigarh reported that roads in many places of city have not been carpeted for many years together.
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that sanitary conditions of Dadu Majra Colony was poor. Hence it is recommended that residents of colony should form work groups to plan, supervise and evaluate the sanitation of the area. Formulate competitions among different localities of Dadu Majra Colony to keep park, lanes and streets clean.
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