CHAPTER-VI SLUMS AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF SLUM DWELLERS IN THE URBAN AREAS OF BELGAUM CITY

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1 CHAPTER-VI SLUMS AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF SLUM DWELLERS IN THE URBAN AREAS OF BELGAUM CITY 6.1. INTRODUCTION The highly unhygienic living conditions in slum areas of urban cities have led to serious health and environmental consequences. Municipal administrations of urban areas have been found deficient in pro maintenance of sanitation in these areas. There is no pro maintenance of drainage, garbage clearance and removal of waste water. The working conditions of the slum dwellers too are not convincing. The living conditions in general and the family size of these people are not suitable for healthy living. The study has focused on these aspects. The analysis in this second core chapter of the thesis is focused on the living conditions of the slum dwellers in the four urban areas in Belgaum city covered by the study. The Major aspects discussed in this part of the study relate to the following, Drainage and disposal of waste water in the slum areas of the city. Maintenance of the drainage system. Garbage and waste disposal. Cost of fuel for cooking of the slum dwellers cost of lighting. Health problems of the slum dwellers and access to health facilities. Work environment of respondent slum dwellers. Physical facilities in work places. Family size of slum dwellers. Age, educational status, and marital status of the slum dwellers. Occupational distribution, employment, wage earnings, etc. of respondent slum dwellers covered by the study Slums and living / environmental conditions. The analysis in this chapter is made with the data obtained through field survey. The study has revealed useful conclusions from the field survey. Drainage / sewerage availability in the area: Drainage / sewerage facilities are provided in the slum areas according to majority of 128 respondent residents (64 ) of the four slum localities in 141

2 Belgaum city. However, there is no drainage / sewerage facility provided in the areas according to the substantial number of 72 respondents (36 ). Thus, the slum areas are not proly served by drainage / sewerage facility for the movement of waste water which causes problems of sanitation. There is a need for the concerned municipal and health authorities to look in to this basic sanitation need of the slum areas. Table: 6.1 Distribution of respondents according to area and drainage / sewerage available Availability Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Yes No Chi-square= d f=3 p= , S The discharge of waste water in the absence of drainage / sewerage: In the absence of drainage / sewerage facility waste water logs around according to 26 respondents (36.11 ) and a majority of 46 respondents (63.89 ) indicated that the waste water does not log around but flows out. However, in the absence of drainage / sewerage facility waste water is found open and hence a breeding ground for mosquitoes causing severe diseases to the public. Hence, this basic need must be met by municipal authorities on priority basis. Table: 6.2 Distribution of respondents according to area and non-availability of drainage/ sewerage. Availability Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Log around Not around Total Pro maintenance of drainage in slum areas of Belgaum City: Drainage has not been mentioned proly in the slum areas according to majority of 104 respondent residents (52 ) of the areas. This reflects upon the municipal and sanitary authorities of Belgaum who have neglected these important 142

3 aspects of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the city and slum areas in particular. However, a substantial number of 96 respondents (48 ) have indicated that drainage has been maintained well. Table: 6.3 Distribution of respondents according to area and drainage facility: Maintain Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Yes No Drain water logging around the houses: Chi-square= , d f=3, p=0.1417, NS Large majority 169 respondents (84.5 ) mentioned that drain water did not log around their houses, however a small number of 31 respondents (15.5 ) indicated that drain water did log around their houses. Water logging is a big health hazard. Hence, the concerned authorities must take note of such areas and provide pro drainage for the waste water to flow out. Table: 6.4 Distribution of respondents according to area and waste water log around Waste reused/recy cled Anagol Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Yes No Chi-square= , d f=3, p= , S 6.3. GARBAGE AND WASTE DISPOSAL Storing of waste inside the houses: Majority of 101 respondent residents (50.5 ) of four slum localities in Belgaum city indicated that they did not store waste in their houses and a substantial number of 67 respondents (33.5 ) stored the waste in open containers. While 32 respondents stored the waste in closed containers. The responses indicate that the waste 143

4 is largely disposed off on the roads. There are no pro practices of storing the waste which would cause unhygienic climate in the house. Table: 6.5 Distribution of respondents according to area and waste stored inside the house Waste Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total stored inside Open container Closed container Not stored Chi-square= , d f=6, p= , S Disposing of the waste: Domestic waste is dumped outside their houses as indicated by majority of 194 respondents (52 ). A substantial number of 42 respondents (21 ) mentioned that domestic waste is collected by others working for the same. A good number of 39 respondents (19.5 ) indicated that they put their waste in public bins while a small number of 15 respondents burnt the waste outside the house. It results in spoiling the public sanitation and adds to the pollution creating unhealthy hazards. Table: 6.6 Distribution of respondents according to area and the waste disposal: Waste disposal Anagol Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Public bins Collectors Outside dumping Burn Chi-square= , d f=9, p= , 144

5 Spread of garbage in the area: Slums are known for their unsanitary environment due to the spread of garbage. The spread of garbage in the slum areas is affirmed by a substantial number of 94 respondents (47 ) and however, majority of 106 respondents (53 ) mentioned that there was no spread of garbage in their area. Table: 6.7 Distribution of respondents according to area and garbage spread Garbage spread Anagol Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Yes No Chi-square= , d f=3, p= Frequency of garbage collection by municipal authorities: Municipal workers collect the garbage at regular intervals. Majority of 66 respondents have mentioned that garbage in their areas is collected 2-3 times in a week while 63 respondents (31.5 ) indicated that garbage is collected once in a week. A small number of 32 respondents (16 ) have mentioned that garbage in their area was collected daily. A minimum number of 9 respondents (4.5 ) indicated that garbage was collected once in a month. Garbage was not collected at all according to 30 respondents (15 ). Table: 6.8 Distribution of respondents according to area and frequency of garbage collection: Frequency Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Gandhi Daily times in a week Weekly Monthly None

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7 Satisfaction regarding garbage collection: Large majority of 147 respondents (73.5 ) were not satisfied with the collection of garbage by the workers of the municipal corporation. A lesser number of 53 respondents (26.5 ) were satisfied with the collection of garbage. There is common complaint regarding the garbage collection which is neglected by the municipal authorities in all urban areas. The position in the slums is more precarious as they are the most neglected in this direction and subsequently they become the unhealthiest places in urban cities like Belgaum. Table: 6.9 Distribution of respondents according to area and satisfaction garbage collection Satisfaction Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Yes No Chi-square= , df=3, p=0.0335, S Segregation of degradable and non-degradable waste: Majority of 198 respondent residents (99 ) of the four localities maintained that they did not segregate the degradable and non-degradable waste of their respective homes. They are prone to dispose of all the waste without considering the degradable and non-degradable aspects of the waste. They need pro awareness about this aspect. Table: 6.10 Distribution of respondents according to area and segregation of garbage: Segregatio n Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Anagol 147 Yes No Recycling and re-use of waste: All the 200 respondent residents of the slum areas in Belgaum city (100 ) have mentioned that they did not recycle/reuse the domestic waste. They have

8 disposed off the waste. They do not have any knowledge of recycling or reusing the waste. There is need for educating the people about the techniques of reusing the waste wherever it is possible which would help in reducing the pollution. Table: 6.11 Distribution of respondents according to area and recycle / reuse of wastes: Segregation Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Yes No Source: Filed Survey ENERGY USE Average cost of fuel for cooking ( month Rs): The respondent residents of the four slum areas in Belgaum city have been using fuel for cooking which include wood, LPG, electricity and kerosene. None of them is using solar power. The average cost of fuel wood month in all the four slum areas was Rs and varied between a minimum of Rs in and a maximum of Rs in Anagol. The average cost of LPG month was for all the four slum areas in Belgaum city and varied from Rs in Gandhi to Rs in. The average cost of electricity for cooking was Rs.70/- in Anagol and and Rs.140/- in. The average cost of kerosene for cooking in the four slum areas was Rs and varied from Rs in Gandhi to Rs in Anagol. Table: 6.12 Average cost of fuel for cooking ( month): Type Summary Anagol Gandhi Total F-value P-value Wood Mean * SD LPG Mean SD Electric Mean * SD Kerosene Mean * SD Solar Mean SD Total Mean * 148

9 SD *p<0.05 The average cost of lighting ( month Rs): The average cost of energy for lighting by use of electricity was Rs month in the four slum areas of Belgaum city. The cost varied from Rs in to Rs in. The average cost of kerosene for lighting for all the four slum areas in the city was Rs month which varied from Rs in Gandhi to Rs in Anagol. LPG for lighting was used in Anagol where the cost month was Rs.50/- Table: 6.13 Average cost of energy for lighting ( month): Type Summary Anagol Gandhi Total F-value P-value Electric Mean SD Kerosene Mean SD LPG Mean SD Solar Mean SD Total Mean SD HEALTH PROBLEMS OF SLUM S DWELLERS (during a year) Health problems of Slum Dwellers in Belgaum city: There have been health problems in the four surveyed slum areas of Belgaum city. The problems ranged from respiratory complaints to HIV/AIDS and others. Maximum number of 83 (41.5 ) respondent residents in these slum localities mentioned the incidence of fever followed by 36 respondents referring to eye irritation. Other health problems were respiratory problems (29 respondents) cardiac disease (25), Jaundice (22) skin diseases (18) Allergy (16), Gastro enteritis and Asthma (15 each), Chickenguniya (14), Malaria (13) Cancer (6), Cholera (2) and other diseases (7). The slum environment had its impact on the incidence of health problems on the residents of these four slum areas in Belgaum city. It is apparent that the Health administration 149

10 and the City Municipal Corporation have failed to take adequate preventive measures in this direction. Table-6.14 Health problems of Slum Dwellers in Belgaum city: Segregation Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Note: 1. HIV/AIDS, 2. Eye irritation 3. Respiratory Problems, 4. Cardiac disease, 5. Jaundice, 6. Skin diseases 7. Allergy 8.Gastr enteritis 9. Asthma 10. Chickenguniya 11. Malaria, 12. Cancer and 13. Cholera. Access to health facility: The study has revealed that majority of 163 respondent residents of four slum areas (81.5 ) had access to private hospitals for their health problems. The responses varied from a minimum of 39 in Anagol to a maximum of 43 in Gandhi. However a substantial number of 97 respondents (48.5 ) had access to public hospitals for their health care needs. The responses varied from a minimum of 19 in Gandhi to a maximum of 33 in. There is need for better health care facilities in public hospitals to attract more patients since the cost of medical care is costlier in private hospitals. Table: 6.15 Distribution of respondents according to area and Access to health facility: IX.a Access Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Private

11 Public Others Preventive measures adopted by respondents against health problems: The responses of majority of 154 respondent residents of the four slum areas constituting 77 of the total indicate that they have taken preventive measures by way of using trap/mesh doors for their residences to protect themselves from mosquitoes. The number of responses ranged from 37 in Anagol to 41 in Gandhi. A substantial number of 64 respondents (32 ) had adopted filtering and boiling of drinking water. A good number of 25 respondents (12.5 ) were used to heating of food and eatables before consuming. Table: 6.16 Distribution of respondents according to area and preventive Preventive mechanism Filtering/ boiling Boiling/ heating measures adopted by respondents against health problems: Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total kr Gandhi Trap doors Others Source: Field Survey 6.6. WORK ENVIRONMENT Respondents area and nature of work: The study has revealed that majority of 70.5 of respondents (141) were involved in drainage work initiated by the municipal authorities of these maximum number of the respondents (39) belonged to n followed by those from Gandhin (36), n (34), and from Anagol (32). Those involved in construction work were 40( 20 ). While a smaller number of 19 respondents (9.5 ) were Rickshaw Pullers. 151

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13 Table: 6.18 Distribution of respondents according to area and Nature of work: (X.1) Nature of work Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Anagol Drainage Construction workers Rickshaw Pullers Hours of work day, Distance and Time to go to work place: The data obtained through field survey has revealed that the average (mean) hours of work day at the work place of the respondents was 8.31 hours. The hours of work day varied from a minimum of 7.67 hours for respondents in n to a maximum of 8.96 hours day for respondents of n. The distance travelled by the respondents from their residence to work place averaged at kms. The distance travelled varied from a minimum of 6.38 kms. for respondents of n to a maximum of kms. for respondents of Anagol. The time involved in work and travelling to workplace averaged at 25.7 hours, for the respondents of the four slum areas of the city Table: 6.19 Average hrs of work day, distance and time to go to work place Type Summary Anagol Gandhi Total F-value P-value Work day Mean SD Distance Mean SD Time to go Mean SD

14 Physical facilities in the slum areas: Physical facilities like water, food and canteen, recreation, crèche, etc are provided in the work places of the respondent residents of the four slum areas in Belgaum city. Large majority of the respondents have indicated the availability of these facilities. 1. Drinking water facility has been made available at the work place according to majority of 115 respondents (57.5 ), however a substantial number of 85 respondents (42.5 ) mentioned that drinking water facility was not available at the work place. 2. Food and canteen facility was available according to majority of 102 respondents (51 ) while the facility was not available according to large number of 98 respondents (49 ). 3. Recreation facility was not available at the work place according to majority of 124 respondents (62 ) while 38 of respondents indicate that recreation facility was available. 4. Facilities for health and medical respects were not available at the work place according to majority of 125 respondents (62.5 ) while 75 respondents (37.5 ) indicated that they had such facilities at work place available. 5. Crèches for the infants of the working women were not provided at the work place according to majority of 133 respondents (66.5 ) while 67 respondents indicated that crèches were provided at the work place. 154

15 physical facilities Drinking water Yes No Table: 6.20 Distribution of respondents according to area and physical facilities: (X.3) Food and canteen Yes No Recreation Yes No Health Yes No Crèche Anagol Notified slums Non-Notified slums Total Per a bha Gandhi Chisquare p-value Yes No Total CONCLUSION The study covered a total number of 200 respondent residents in four residential areas of Anagol and in the notified slums and and old Gandhi in non-notified slum areas of Belgaum city each area consisting of 50 respondents categorized under APL and BPL income groups.. The study focused on the analysis of the data taining to the slum environment of the four slum localities in Belgaum city covered by the field survey. Municipal administrations of urban areas have been found deficient in pro maintenance of sanitation in these areas. The highly unhygienic living conditions in slum areas of urban cities have led to serious health, and environmental consequences. The working and living conditions of the slum dwellers too are not happy. The major focus of the study was on the living conditions along with the living conditions of the slum dwellers of the above mentioned four slum areas in Belgaum city. This study gives a clear picture of the extent of availability of amenities with regard to drainage, disposal of waste water, garbage & 155

16 waste disposal, energy used and its cost, work environment and the physical facilities at work place. About 72 respondents (36 ) have mentioned that they have no access to drainage or sewage facility. In area 50 of the respondents face this problem. And because of this they also face the problem of waste water logging around their living units. With regard to the maintenance of the drainages majority of the residents, 52 is not happy.majority of the respondent residents (50.5) indicated that they did not store the waste in their houses. The responses indicate that the waste is largely disposed off on the roads. Domestic waste is dumped outside their houses as indicated by a majority of 104 respondents (52 ). It results in spoiling the public sanitation and adds to the pollution creating health hazards. There are no pro practices of storing the waste which would cause unhygienic climate in the house. Slums are known for their unsanitary environment due to the spread of garbage in their areas. Large majority of 147 respondents (73.5 ) were not satisfied with the collection of garbage by workers of Municipal Corporation. The respondent residents of the four slum areas in Belgaum city have been using fuel for cooking which include wood, LPG, electricity and kerosene. The average cost of the fuel in all the four areas was Rs The average cost of energy for lighting by use of electricity was Rs month in the four slum areas surveyed under study. The health problems of these slum dwellers ranged from respiratory complaints to HIV/AIDS and others and it is apparent that the Health administration and City Municipal Corporation have failed to take adequate preventive measures in this direction. However, a substantial number of 97 respondents had access to public hospitals for their health care needs. The studies revealed that majority of 141 respondents (70.5 ) were involved in drainage work initiated by the municipal authorities. The rest were engaged in the activities of construction works, rickshaw pulling, etc. Majority of these slum dwellers had less or least access to many of the physical facilities at work places as availability of drinking water, food and canteen, health and medical help, crèches for infants and recreation. 156