Rationale

In 2005 Practical Action Nepal conceptualized and set up the idea of the Renewable Energy Village (REV) – a demonstrated village located in the southern hillrocks of Gorkha district of Nepal (2007). The demonstration village covers 6 villages of Bhumlichowk Village Development Committee (VDC), ward number 8 where 67 Chepang household are benefiting from renewable energy services. Chepangs are one of the most disadvantaged ethnic groups in Nepal. They are primarily hunters and depend on only natural foods. However, the lifestyle of the Chepangs has changed drastically in recent years. They have started growing crops, raising animals and doing some local trading. Nevertheless, poverty is still very common among Chepangs. The ecological sanitation (ecosan) toilet is one of the main components of the REV programme. In total, 10 ecosan toilets were constructed in the villages of Bhumlichowk for demonstration. This paper presents the experience of constructing and monitoring the eco-sanitation toilets in a remote and under- developed area of Nepal. Introduction to ecosan Ecological sanitation is a concept of on-site excreta and urine disposal whose basic principle is to close the nutrient loop between sanitation and agriculture through recycling. Ecosan has the advantage of using less water, of the possibility of construction over high water table and rocky soils, as a raised toilet. The collectio