Solutions on waste management sought

The idea is to create innovative technology that is durable, reliable and environmental friendly, in the following areas: affordable toilet technology for hilly, dry, flood-prone and remote areas, solutions to monitor usage of toilets, bringing behavioural change in toilet usage and hygiene, innovative models and methods to improve the operation and maintenance of school toilets, menstrual health management (MHM) and solutions for early decomposition of faecal matter.

Job Zachariah, Chief of UNICEF Office for Tamil Nadu and Kerala, said that the main objective was to seek innovations and suggestions for these pressing issues. “Tamil Nadu generates 22,000 tonnes of faecal matter every day. Even in urban areas, trucks are used to dump this unscientifically. This is a dangerous practice as even 1 gm of faecal matter has immense amount of disease- carrying pathogen. We need technology for easy decomposition of faecal matter. Cost-effective and replicable solutions are also required for disposal of sanitary napkins. Approximately, 50 crore napkins are generated annually in Tamil Nadu,” he said, adding that new technologies are required for rocky and coastal areas.

Hans Raj Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department, said, “Tamil Nadu will achieve open-defecation-free status with all households having toilet and its usage by the end of March 2018, much ahead of national target of achieving it by October 2, 2019.” Applauding Tamil Nadu’s rapid progress in the rural toilet coverage, Veditha Reddy, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, said, “The total coverage has moved from 52 per cent in 2014 to 74 per cent by the end of July 2017.” Entries for solutions can be sent to innovate.mygov.in.

* TN generates 22,000 tonnes of faecal matter every day

* Waste is dumped unscientifically even in urban areas

* Even 1 gm of faecal matter has immense amount of disease- carrying pathogen

* 50 crore sanitary napkins are generated in the state (Approx)