Treatment and safe disposal are the weakest links in the African sanitation systems

The challenge of sanitation, particularly in developing nations, has evolved significantly over the past few decades. While the initial focus was largely on increasing access to toilets, the narrative is now shifting towards the more complex and critical aspects of waste treatment and safe disposal. The article highlights a crucial gap in African sanitation systems: despite improved toilet coverage, weak treatment and disposal mechanisms mean that widespread sanitation risks persist. This situation is not unique to Africa but mirrors challenges faced by many rapidly developing economies, including India, making it a highly relevant topic for competitive exam aspirants.

Historically, global sanitation efforts, spurred by initiatives like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and subsequently the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prioritized 'access' as a primary metric. This led to significant investment in constructing individual and community toilets. However, the 'flush and forget' mentality, or simply collecting waste without a robust plan for its treatment and safe disposal, has created a secondary crisis. Untreated human waste, whether discharged into water bodies, left in open pits, or improperly managed, becomes a breeding ground for pathogens, contaminating water sources, soil, and air. This perpetuates cycles of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, undermining public health gains and imposing substantial economic burdens.

Several key stakeholders are involved in addressing this complex issue. At the forefront are national and local governments, responsible for policy formulation, infrastructure development, regulation, and funding. International organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank play crucial roles in setting global standards (like SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation), providing financial aid, technical expertise, and capacity building. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) are vital for grassroots implementation, community engagement, and promoting behavioral change. The private sector is increasingly seen as a critical partner, offering innovative technologies for waste treatment, financing solutions, and operational efficiencies.

For India, the insights from Africa's sanitation challenges hold profound significance. India, through its flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) launched in 2014, achieved remarkable success in improving toilet coverage, declaring itself Open Defecation Free (ODF) in rural areas by 2019. However, the subsequent phase, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Grameen) Phase II and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, explicitly acknowledges the need to move beyond ODF to ODF+, ODF++, and Water+ certifications, which emphasize sustainable solid and liquid waste management, including faecal sludge management. This transition recognizes that merely building toilets is insufficient without adequate systems for waste collection, treatment, and reuse/disposal. India faces similar challenges, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas, where sewerage networks are often non-existent or inadequate, and faecal sludge treatment plants are scarce. Learning from Africa's experience can help India refine its strategies, prioritize investment in treatment infrastructure, and develop sustainable models.

This issue also connects deeply with India's constitutional framework. The Right to Life and Personal Liberty enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to a clean and healthy environment, which directly encompasses sanitation. Article 47, a Directive Principle of State Policy, mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health, making sanitation a fundamental aspect of state responsibility. Furthermore, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts empower Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, respectively, with responsibilities for public health, sanitation, and waste management. Various environmental laws, such as the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, and specific rules like the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, provide the legal framework for waste disposal and treatment.

Looking ahead, the future implications are clear: failure to address the treatment and disposal gap will exacerbate public health crises, degrade ecosystems, and hinder economic development. It will also make the achievement of SDG 6 by 2030 an increasingly distant goal. The path forward involves integrated urban and rural planning, significant investment in decentralized and centralized waste treatment technologies (including faecal sludge treatment plants), robust regulatory frameworks, and public awareness campaigns to promote responsible waste management. South-South cooperation, where India and African nations can share best practices, technological innovations, and policy insights, will be crucial in building resilient and sustainable sanitation systems across the global South. This shift from 'toilets for all' to 'safe sanitation for all' represents the next critical frontier in public health and environmental sustainability.