THE RISING TREND OF BIOSAND

THE RISING TREND OF BIOSAND



-Phurba Sange Moktan

Rupsagar Chhetri, 45, has not been to his father in law’s at Jalthal for 10 year because of the water with bad smell. “It’s not only me, but many son in laws were afraid to go to Jalthal” he said. If they have to go, they used to buy mineral water from the market.

Bhagwati Gurung, Makurmadi, Pathariya-9 also hesitated to visit her parent’s. She used to face problems like changing colour of clothes while washing. They were also suffering frequently from the public health problems like conjunctivitis, fever, rashes, jaundice and diarrhea. But after introducing a biosand technology, villagers are being relieved from the problem. In different places of Jhapa namely Birtamod, Sharanmati, Surunga and Panchgachhi are nowdays producing biosand filter by community people themselves for which the credit goes to two organizations, ENPHO and CAWST. Eight months ago, 14 people received training on “Water Purification and Construction of Biosand Filter”; and some of them are now introducing it professionally in their communities.


Nutan Poudel, 27 and Arjun Poudel, 32 are two examples from Prakashpur, Jhapa who are running biosand business. Till date, they have sold 120 filters for Rs. 2000 each. The manufacturing cost ranges from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1200. “It has increased our economic status and respect”, said Nutan. They are also making community households aware in different places. Bijeshwor Mandal, AHW, Haldibari-9 was very impressed when he saw such the technology. “I will gift it to my relatives and neighbors”, Said Mr. Mandal, who has already ordered 15 biosand filters just by himself.


According to Mr. Bipin Dongol, ENPHO information about biosand filter will be accessed in the other parts of the districts as well. Mr. Kamal Baskota, biosand filter entrepreneur from Bolechwok Bazar, Jhapa is also providing filters in subsidized prices to dalits and other marginalized communities. He also requests for government support for providing biosand filters free of cost to poor and disadvantaged groups. There are 9 places in Jhapa district where the manufacturing of biosand filter is being doing.

“We will provide technical and logistic supports”, said Rajesh Adhikari, ENPHO, “Planning for expanding to Morang and Surkhet district are in process.”


- By Narendra Raule/Birtamod (translated by Phurba Sange Moktan)


Primary Source: Nepal National weekly, 29 Aug, 2010

Secondary Source: ENPHO E-bulletin, September, 2010