Forewarning: This article goes into details related to the expulsion of waste matter by living organisms. You are hereby advised to proceed reading only if you can digest (the contents) without (developing a feeling of) disgust!
Waste – organic and non-organic – is all around us. The problem of waste management has become a serious concern in recent years, all over the world. In India however, there is the added issue of defecation in open and public spaces, which is the highest in the world (even our smaller neighbours have better track records in this regard). While there has been a concerted effort to spread awareness on the topic, these have been largely thwarted by inefficient execution (in the building of public toilets), outdated social customs and restrictions, and a general sense of apathy and neglect among the populace (in both urban and rural areas). Even where public toilets exist, a lack of maintenance renders them mostly unusable.
In cities, there is a high prevalence of public urination due to the lack of a strong deterrent and lax enforcement. Men have almost developed a sense of entitlement on the act, and can be found engaging in it with impunity; so much so that you can often spot someone right next to a public toilet, even when it is free! Social acceptance of outdoor urination has become highly skewed in favour of men, literally providing them an ‘outlet’ to ‘express’ themselves at any time and any place, leaving several footpath stretches unbearable to walk on as a result. Recent initiatives by some NGOs to clean up and beautify footpaths and compound walls have helped reduce the problem to an extent; adorning walls with pictures of gods and goddesses has otherwise been the time-tested solution, though it might not prevent occasional non-believers from relieving themselves. Applying hydrophobic (liquid-repelling) paint on walls in public spaces has been tried in some countries, though it is quite expensive and hence cannot cover many areas. There have also been attempts to confront people to embarrass them by awarding a mock prize or medal, though these are mostly one-off exercises and have not been very effective (and also run the risk of facing retaliation by the transgressors).
Reasons usually given are “it was urgent”, “no toilet nearby”, “public toilets are dirty”, and even “do not want to pay to pee” or “no change to pay”. Toilets being dirty is largely a consequence of public attitudes; cleaning toilets is still considered as a lowly occupation and looked down upon, while the behaviour of not wanting to pay to use a public facility in spite of rates being quite low (as compared to developed countries) can only be changed by ensuring that harsh penalties will be imposed. While on a trip recently, I encountered a toilet that one did not to have to pay for to use the amenity, but instead charged users for a bucket of water to clean up afterwards. Consequently, the toilet was incredibly dirty! It was unsurprisingly symptomatic of the current situation.
Circumstances in rural areas are completely different. Awareness is extremely low on the health hazards of open defecation, which is still a way of life; many households do not have a toilet. There is no privacy for women who are forced to defecate outdoors, undergoing anxiety and humiliation in the process. It will take quite a while for progressive measures that have bene initiated to take root.
Flatulence and belching are two other subjects that I will briefly mention as these are also commonly encountered in the public sphere, though they are not directly concerned with the topic of defecation, and is mostly an annoyance rather than a crime! While it is typically considered rude to publicly let out air that is a result of biological processes, many people remain oblivious to the fact and consider it perfectly normal; they would argue that it is a natural phenomenon not to be controlled, and that there is nothing to feel awkward about either. Sounds and smells can thus be routinely experienced after any meals! Some people have even devised and refined techniques they believe are the best way to let out gas, and are singularly proud of their achievements. If only there was an award or patent for such disclosures!
As if all this wasn’t enough, there’s the nuisance of animal waste to contend with. Populations of strays have remained constantly high, so the presence of cat, dog and pigeon excrement on doorsteps, verandahs, balconies and other areas is not uncommon, while those of bovines can regularly be found on roads and footpaths, as they leave behind hard-to-miss traces of their constant digestive activity that many of us would have mistakenly stepped into while walking, and then struggled to get off our footwear (and feet for the unlucky ones). Pigeon droppings can be difficult to clean and get rid of, and the fact that they leave them in hard to reach places makes it even more irritating. Faecal matter can come from the smallest creatures as well – the small, oblong-shaped black substances one may encounter in nooks, crannies and ceilings of houses are from lizards, and small oval droppings on leaves of plants are from caterpillars (which leave quite a large amount relative to their body size!).
Pet owners are also culpable as most pets are poorly or not trained at all; many of them will happily let their pet complete their routine in public spaces, with scant regard for cleanliness. I guess we are resigned to our fate – after all, the pet is just following the master!