Diarrhoea caused by intestinal pathogens is the single largest cause of infant and child mortality in India, taking a toll of 1.5 million children under the age of 5 every year. It is also the second largest cause of morbidity in rural areas. India loses about Rs. 36,600 crore every year due to water-borne diseases.

In the Purandar block -- the FRCH study area -- diarrhoeal diseases constitute 11.2% of all morbidities in a year, posing a challenge to health workers. A study of bacteriological quality of water supplies in the area was undertaken in partnership with the Foundation for Medical Research, aimed at generating a movement towards better water quality management at the local level. Samples of water were collected from water sources, storage tanks, standposts and household storage in six villages over a period of one year. Findings and analysis of testing done at the FMR lab in Mumbai were constantly shared with the community.

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Measures to ensure improvement in the quality of drinking water have been taken. These include :

Communication among technical personnel, watermen and the community has been established.   Water pasteurization during ongoing cooking chores and use of copper wire were tested in the FMR lab and implemented in the field.         Eco groups were formed in schools, as children are seen as catalysts for attitudinal change in the community   Activities such as awareness generation, information dissemination, and demonstration of appropriate methods of water storage and handling were taken up through the Eco groups. ..................................................................................................................................................................

Positive results were observed in terms of community action of voluntary cleaning of wells and changing old ways of storing and handling water. It has been observed that in the Parinche valley, herbal medicines are used widely to treat diarrhoea. The local traditional healers dispense plant medicines that are effective for many ailments, including diarrhoea. A floristic and ethno-botanical survey of this valley in Western Maharashtra was therefore undertaken in partnership with the Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research and the Foundation for Medical Research. Through interviews with traditional healers, indigenous communities and village elders, 182 medicinal plants used by the rural population were documented.

Of these, 28 plants were found to be used by the community for treating diarrhoea. Anti- diarrhoeal activity Five plants documented in this study has not been reported previously. Plant parts used, preparation and dosage of medicine practised by the community were also documented. Six plants that were used most widely by the community were tested in the FMR lab to understand their mode of action and efficacy. As Guava (Psidium guajava) leaves were found to be most effective, the community health workers tried to popularise its use for treatment of diarrhoeal diseases in the community.

Around the same period, a study of sacred groves in the valley was undertaken in partnership with the Naoroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research to understand the importance of sacred groves as common natural resource bases and their status in the cultural life of the community. Fourteen sacred groves were documented through the seasons. The study emphasizes their importance as mini-sanctuaries of many medicinal plants and other threatened plant species. It underlines the necessity to preserve these groves and suggests that their protection and enhancement should be made part of village and forest planning.

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Partner : Foundation for Medical Research, Mumbai Support : Ambuja Cement Foundation, Mumbai.     Indian Council of Medical Research,New Delhi.     Department of Science and Technology,Government of India. Contact person : Tannaz Birdi