CLEAN-Jhansi in Action 

Manuja Shukla & Anand Rai        cleanjhansi@yahoo.co.in
Natural Colours
Holi, a festival of colours, has turned into a festival of chemicals.  We have been using toxic colours, which are not only harmful for human skin, but also for our environment.  CLEAN-Jhansi students created awareness among their friends and community for an Eco-Friendly Holi, utilizing Natural colours.  Students enthusiastically pasted posters, distributed pamphlets in schools, colonies and markets, depicting the harmful effects of synthetic colours and the benefits of using natural colours. The natural colours provided to the community were prepared by women self help groups of Niwari block, Tikamgarh (‘Become environment friendly – Create more jobs’).  Several outlets were set up for easy availability of these colours.  It was encouraging for the students when media, both print and visual, joined their efforts to create mass awareness.  The impact was clearly visible when customers started demanding organic colours instead of synthetic ones.  

CLEAN-India addresses peri-urban problems
Few schools at Niwari Block, Tikamgarh district have shown a keen interest in participating in various activities of the CLEAN-India programme.  Initially, to create awareness among people and making them realise their responsibilities, an inter-school competition on “Niwari Ka Paryavaran Aur Hum” was conducted.  CLEAN-India student members then surveyed all wards of Niwari and on interaction with housewives, concluded that there was no systematic procedure for collection and disposal of garbage. Wards generating 90% biodegradable waste were willing to segregate their waste and also pay for its collection.  It was decided that a decentralised organic waste management system would be set up.  This system will be unique and distinctly different from other conventional ways, as it would provide livelihoods for weaker sections and also help in maintaining a hygienic environment.

CLEAN-Jhansi makes New Friends
Activities of CLEAN-Jhansi are visibly making impacts and we have new friends who have joined hands in various activities of the programme. Saraswati Shishu Mandir, which is located in a slum, has provided the space and shelter for discussion with slum people. During their regular rounds of seasonal water monitoring in the slum, water logging was found to be a major problem around the drinking water source.  Construction of soak pit was found to be the probable solution. Discussion with the residents regarding the benefits of a soak pit resulted in ample contribution from their side in terms of labour and money.  The construction of soak pit has not only solved the water availability problem but also resulted in cleaner surroundings.  During monsoons, tree plantation was carried out and trees of medicinal value and native species of the Bundelkhand region were planted.  The saplings were protected with pieces of bricks, bamboo, or with an old saree or dhoti. Slum children have actively participated in tree plantation and are also nurturing them with keen interest.

No Polybags for us Please
In order to reduce the use of polybagss in our community, students of St. Francis School made paper bags and envelops in their school utilizing old newspaper.  These bags were distributed in the market to shopkeepers and also spread the message on the ill effects of plastics.  It was encouraging to see shopkeepers using these paper bags and demanding for more.

 Water Quality Problems
Continuous and regular monitoring of water source and relevant discussions with staff of our member school, Christ the King College, revealed that drinking water in the school campus had bacteriological contamination and high turbidity problems during monsoons. Hence, Jal-TARA filter was installed in the school, which is a perfect filter that helps in water purification without any chemical treatment or electricity and needs minimum maintenance. 
CLEAN-Jhansi is on its way to achieving the final aim of creating CLEAN communities.  Some progress has been made in changing the attitudes and mind sets of people – yet, a long way to go.
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