Role of civil society in sanitation improvement - A case-study from the work of Parivartan in Uttar Pradesh (2010)

This presentation prepared by the founders of Parivartan, a Kanpur based NGO, deals with the organisation's efforts to improve the sanitation system of the town by involving local citizenry.

Captain SC Tripathi, the founder of Parivartan explains that his organisation is based on a 'collective' model where in all aspects from ideation to implementation is a collective effort. This model seemed appropriate considering the different problems that Kanpur was facing ranging from sanitation issues to drainage, power outages etc. Added to this was political and official apathy, indifference and cynicism of citizenry.

The author indicates that the first step was to deal with this collective apathy by celebrating every change, not matter how small. Parivartan's mission and objectives are also presented some of them are:

• To provide a platform to like minded citizens of Kanpur to share and discuss their ideas; identify the problems of the city and search for possible solutions
• To seek people’s participation and cooperation in implementing sustainable solutions for a clean, green and civic Kanpur
• To act as a catalyst and a bridge to enhance coordination and cooperation amongst different organs of society
• Government/administrative bodies, public representatives (MP’s, MLA’s and Corporators), media, and citizens

Today the organisation has instituted a door-to-door garbage collection system that covers 1,60,000 people in 7 municipal wards. The presentation also provides the manner in which citizens were involved. The organisation has created a "Kanpur Parivartan Forum" which meets twice a month to discuss civic problems and find solutions. This forum is now a registered trust and people can obtain membership through payment of subscription.

The organisation has held many events to get citizens involve, these include:

• Kanpur First – Bringing representatives of all political parties, administration, media, different institutions and people at large on one platform
• JNNURM For Kanpur – An Overview
• Debate – MP Candidates from Kanpur
• 2nd October – Gandhi and Kanpur
• Kanpur Walkathon

Even as Parivartan worked on improving the drainage and sewer system, it also got into greening the town of Kanpur, reducing pollution within the city, traffic management and is also involved in reviving arts like the Nautanki (street plays).

The final slides inform that a road map for Kanpur is being developed for the city. This document will develop a perspective and vision for the future development for Kanpur.

Download the document here: