There are 78 households in Thaprang village of Chitwan district. Only one house—that of Bhadra Bahadur Chepang, a member of the local government—has a proper toilet.
“I built the toilet so that others would see it and be inspired to build toilets in their own homes,” says Bhadra Bahadur. “But so far no one else has done it.”
It is not that all villagers are unaware of the importance of toilets. Raj Bahadur Chepang, now 70, has long wanted to build one at his house. But Raj Bahadur says he does not have the money and so he and his family continue to defecate inside a nearby forest.
“If the government gives me building material I too will be able to have a toilet at my house,” says Raj Bahadur.
As the residents of this predominantly-Chepang village defecate in the open, often out of compulsion, the nearby forest and open spaces have become extremely dirty. The situation is no different in other villages around Thaprang.
Chamre Chepang, another local, also says that he too desperately wants a toilet but has no money for it. “When nature calls we have no option but to run to the nearest gully or forest,” he says.
Bhadra Bahadur Chepang stands outside the toilet he built, which is also the only toilet in his village. PHOTO: Anil Dhakal
