Ekjut Kanpuriya - a #PeopleFirstCities initiative powered by residents of informal settlements, that shows a model for transformation
The solid waste management scenario in informal settlements within Uttar Pradesh presents a complex and urgent challenge, characterized by a multitude of interconnected issues. In the city of Kanpur, the communities of Manipurva, Tosha Khana and Rani ka Bageecha, which are close to the Ganges river, have come together to help address this challenge and drive solutions that bring the communities together - leveraging collective action, combined with creative, art & design based activities to instill a lasting sense of pride and belonging in the communities. Ambassadors from these communities call themselves Ekjut Kanpuriya.
The multi-pronged approach is aimed at bringing local government stakeholders closer to the issues & priorities of the residents of informal settlements; while also building the confidence and resilience of the community to come together and solve for key local challenges they face.
“Earlier, we used to see the situation of our mohalla, but we felt helpless. There was no awareness about waste management, yet, there was a longing in our hearts for something to happen that would change everything. Then we heard that people were conducting meetings on cleanliness; that’s when we felt that maybe this was the platform to change the destiny of our settlement, so we joined Ekjut Kanpuria. After that, everything changed; our entire perspective shifted. We received training on managing wet and dry waste, and on composting. We were taught how to beautify dirty places through art. We wholeheartedly got involved, and today, with everyone's help, we have largely succeeded in cleaning our settlement and drafted our asks and learnings in a document to collaborate with local bodies to keep our locality clean. Now, we want to take the work of Ekjut Kanpuriya to the surrounding areas as well to realize the dream of the Swachh Bharat Mission.” Sumit Pandey, Ekjut Kanpuriya Ambassador
After months of waste audits, creative workshops, and composting initiatives, ambassadors, community members, and partners recently came together to celebrate their success story and connect with key decision-makers on the 18th of September '24. Several local dignitaries attended the event, including Smt. Neelima Katiyar, Hon’ble MLA and former Minister of the UP Government; Shri Sudhir Kumar, IAS Municipal Commissioner of Kanpur Nagar Nigam; Dr Chandra Shekhar, City Health Officer of KMC, Swachh Bharat Mission (U); and Shri Ram Chaurasia, Zonal Sanitation Officer of KMC. They acknowledged the community’s efforts in fostering lasting change and offered support for future initiatives.
Working alongside our partners and eco-warriors Shramik Bharti in Kanpur has been a fantastic experience. This is hopefully only the first chapter for the #ekjutkanpuriya Ambassadors, and #PeopleFirstCities will continue working with our ambassadors, partners, and community members to make Kanpur a truly inclusive city for everyone.
As articulated by Utkarsh Dwivedi, Programme Manager at Shramik Bharti, and a core member of the Ekjut Kanpuriya collective:
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"Ekjut Kanupriya's vision extends beyond waste management; it emphasises dignity, inclusivity, and the creation of a sustainable and thriving urban ecosystem. This project envisions a future where informal settlements in Kanpur can actively contribute to building a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous community for generations to come."
We would love to build a groundswell of support for more initiatives in Kanpur that brings everyone together on the issue of solid waste management, and the creation of clean and welcoming public spaces in a city, which has such a massive impact on the Ganges.
Exciting work is underway, including the transformation of an open dump area which was an abandoned water pump, into a community playground.
Thank you to all our knowledge partners, collaborators and well-wishers on the Kanpur journey so far: DULB (UP), Kanpur Nagar Nigam National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) Praja Foundation Swechha India WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities