Less than 300 of the over 3000 big cities in India have an adequate sewerage system or adequate numbers of public toilets. As a result, the practice of open-air defecation and use of bucket latrines is still prevalent in the country.

Until recently, "bhangis", or low-caste scavengers who are perceived as "untouchables" by Indian society, has to do the unhygienic and degrading job of cleaning bucket latrines. Determined to free the scavengers from a life of servitude and degradation, Bindeshwar Pathak, a Gandhian social scientist, decided to address the issue by introducing a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly sanitation system which would effectively make scavenging obsolete.

In 1970, Mr. Pathak established the 'Easy Toilet Institute', now known as Sulabh International, which developed a latrine that revolutionised sanitation technology. The two-pit pour flush toilet uses only two litres of water to flush (compared to 12.5 litres used by a modern flush toilet) and generates bio-gas for energy. One pit is used while the other is a standby. When one gets filled up, the waste flow is directed to the second. After 18 months, the waste from the first pit gets incorporated into the ground and may be used for manure. The public latrine complexes developed by Sulabh have also become centres of biogas production which is used to light streets, heat water and cook.

To date, one million toilets and 4000 'pay and use' community toilets serving more than 11 million people daily have been installed in cities and towns all over India. 40,000 scavengers have been liberated from the menial task of clearing bucket latrines and 240 towns have been made scavenger-free. Meanwhile, scavengers are being trained and rehabilitated to find other jobs.

Sulabh has also forged close partnership with the government, local authorities and the communities involved. Due to its success, State and local governments have started to implement the sanitation programme all over the country. In addition, the government has passed legislation banning scavenging.

In recognition of these achievements, Sulabh International was awarded the 2000 Dubai International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment, a biennial award given to successful programmes and projects that have made a positive contribution to improving the quality of life in cities and communities around the world. The Award, sponsored by the Municipality of Dubai in partnership with UNCHS (Habitat), was presented to Sulabh International at a ceremony held in Dubai from 31 October-2 November 2000.

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