Among FHR’s contacts in Indian councils, NGOs and training institutions, there was much talk of how intellectual and indeed practical laziness holds back development. Accepting one-size-fits- all solutions may be the path of least resistance, it may offer short term gains, but often it fails to address the root cause of the problem.

In areas where water and fertile soil are scarce, for example, flush toilets and sewerage pipes are not the answer to sanitation problems. DEWATS solutions such as composting toilets are.

Tens of thousands of people in India now use ecosan toilets to turn human waste into a resource, rather than something to be flushed away and forgotten until the bill comes.

When it comes to food production, petrochemical-derived fertilisers and biocides have helped India leave famine behind. Now depleted soils and pesticides in foods and on farms are affecting people, places and livelihoods. A scattering of pioneers is introducing organic agriculture to a nation yet to be convinced of its merits.

The country’s solid waste management remains patchy to say the least. Indian pride and pragmatism should not allow it, but in many areas litter is endemic. Kulithalai and others are shining examples of what, hopefully, could be a culture shift.

It was inspiring to meet professionals who go that extra mile to find new and sustainable solutions to widespread problems, solutions that can often be adapted, replicated and scaled up.

And it was interesting to see how these people networked with and supported each other, knowing that these issues are inextricably linked.

Marie-Claire Kidd, editor, Friends

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