Working Paper Series #2017-020 Role of WASH and Agency in Health: A study of isolated rural communities in Nilgiris and Jalpaiguri Shyama V. Ramani Maastricht Economic and social Research institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU‐MERIT) email:
[email protected] | website: http://www.merit.unu.edu Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG) email: info‐
[email protected] | website: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/governance Boschstraat 24, 6211 AX Maastricht, The Netherlands Tel: (31) (43) 388 44 00 UNU-MERIT Working Papers ISSN 1871-9872 Maastricht Economic and social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology UNU-MERIT Maastricht Graduate School of Governance MGSoG UNU-MERIT Working Papers intend to disseminate preliminary results of research carried out at UNU-MERIT and MGSoG to stimulate discussion on the issues raised. 1 Role of WASH and Agency in Health: A study of isolated rural communities in Nilgiris and Jalpaiguri By Shyama V. Ramani
[email protected] United Nations University UNU-MERIT, Boschstraat 24 6211 AX Maastricht The Netherlands & Friend In Need Trust, 819-A, Kallar Kadu, Kameshwaram, Kilvelore Taluka, Nagapattinam District, 611110 India Abstract The objective of the Swachh Bharath Mission (SBM) or Clean India Mission of the Indian Government is to eliminate open defecation in India through installation of toilets and triggering of behavioural change by 2019. The problem is most daunting in isolated communities with poor WASH infrastructure and local agencies with scarce resources. In India, tribal communities, living near forests and along mountain ranges are among the most isolated, which means that the study of the impact of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene behaviour) and the effectiveness of local agencies responsible for public hygiene in such communities is pertinent for our research query.