Sahoo, Suchisnata

Odisha, a fast-urbanizing coastal state in India faces significant challenges to protect its water resources from water pollution emanating from its 115 cities and towns. As of 2017, nineteen river stretches were highly polluted and centralized sewage management was seen as not suitable in all urban areas due to technical, social and governance reasons. Drinking water scarcity was looming large with its vulnerability to natural disasters like cyclones, and long dry spells of hot weather each year. These issues, exacerbated by climate change, impacted marginalized communities.
The escalating crisis necessitated swift government intervention, paired with efforts to foster citizen responsibility for resource conservation. The sanitation policy was re-written in 2017 and focus was driven towards a multi-dimensional, inclusive approach involving community managed decentralized solutions for wastewater management.
In order to enhance climate resilience, three-pronged principles were adopted: people-centric initiatives, nature-driven approaches, and the development of resilient and inclusive economies. Odisha introduced an innovative wastewater treatment system of separate black and grey-water treatment that is environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient. The decentralized, customized, community-driven model recycles treated water, reducing freshwater shortages and environmental risks. Powered by solar energy, this system avoids chemicals and promotes zero discharge.
Odisha's efforts have a strong focus on empowering marginalized groups like women and transgender self-help groups (SHGs) and slum dwellers associations (SDAs). 1500 SDAs have been associated as implementing partners creating employment opportunities and improving livelihoods. 113 SHGs groups were trained and engaged for operation of the faecal sludge treatment plants. Over 7.3 million urban inhabitants including one third living in informal settlements have benefited from these interventions. As of 2023, twelve polluted river stretches were delisted due to improvement in river health. Grey-water management with nature-based systems is on-going. This approach resulted in reducing pressure on freshwater and advancing climate resilience.