Environment and Pollution

Environment and Pollution Control are the integrated and conditional aspect for basic health care. Keeping this in view, SHIS sits inception started various programmes on the subject.

Integrated Sanitation Program
Open air latrine poised environmental threat in the villages. SHIS had set up latrines with septic tanks in the villages of Sunmderbans. Being impressed by the activities and awareness building and habit forming hygienic condition programme of SHIS, Department of Rural Development, West Bengal SHIS as a major implanting agency for Integrated Sanitation Project through launching Sanitary Mart Project. During this year, UNICEF and Government of India too extended their support in the project. First Sanitary Mart Project was established at Bhangar in April 2000. Subsequently, one at Minakhan Block and the other at Haroa Block started functioning in July 2002 and February 2002. Rotary International, Chowringhee, Kolkata branch has asisted SHIS in installing 10,000 latrines at Haroa, Minakhan and Bhangar-II block during the year 2003-2004.

 

Safe drinking water
Safe drinking water is a basic need for mankind which is absent in the remote villages of Sunderbans. Polluted pond and river water had been the prime source of drinking water. As a part of sanitation project of SHIS, Tube wells are being installed in the villages so that the poor villagers get safe drinking water.

Elimination of Arsenic and Fluoride

Arsenic and Fluoride are the two menace that pollute and contaminate the habitable water that is used by the villagers. As a result, they suffer from skin and other fatal diseases. It is a matter of our pride that SHIS has developed during this year a Domestic Water Filter within affordable reach of the villagers that can remove the arsenic, fluoride and excess iron content from the water. The process has since been approved and recognized by the School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata and Government of West Bengal.

Also, SHIS Sanitary Mart Centre has installed a Spectrophotometer at Bhangar, that acts as Semi Auto Analyzer in the medicine field and can test arsenic in water. This will be used for soil test too, as action plan to detect arsenic in the underground habitable water of the villagers.

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