Siraha, Nov 19: Despite several government and NGO-led programmes aimed at improving health, sanitation and public awareness in Madhes Province, a recent survey has revealed a worrying reality: more than 4,000 households in a single municipality still lack toilet facilities.
According to a survey conducted by Lahan Municipality in Siraha district, 4,200 households do not have access to toilets. Out of a total of 24,700 houses, 17 percent are still without this basic facility, raising serious concerns about public health and hygiene.
Mayor Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary shared the findings at a press conference on Tuesday. He noted the contradiction that Lahan Municipality had been declared an open defecation free (ODF) zone in 2017, yet a significant portion of the population continues to defecate in the open.
“It is worrying that so many households are living without a basic necessity. Time has come to transform the situation by reaching every home,” Mayor Chaudhary said.
The survey shows that Dalit, landless, poor and disaster-prone settlements are most affected. The municipality’s preliminary analysis indicates that the absence of a fecal sludge management centre and limited access to clean water are major contributing factors. Many of the toilets built earlier have fallen into disrepair or are no longer functional.
To address the issue, the municipality plans to identify appropriate locations for toilets for landless residents. Settlements of landless squatters may also be relocated with sanitation facilities in mind.
Furthermore, Lahan Municipality will mobilize people’s representatives, social workers, community groups, schools, and youth clubs for a three-month campaign to visit households and raise awareness about the need for toilets.
“Toilets are not only for defecation—they are a symbol of health and dignity,” Mayor Chaudhary said, adding that sanitation campaigns succeed only with community participation.
Meanwhile, World Toilet Day is observed globally on November 19. Worldwide, an estimated 3.4 billion people still live without safely managed sanitation. #nepal #sanitation #toilet #lahan
