2007 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
The Methodological Study of Developmental Aid Concerning Groundwater Contamination by Arsenic in the Drainage Basin of the Ganges River using Participatory Rural Appraisal
| Project/Area Number |
16401030
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 海外学術 |
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| Research Field |
Cultural anthropology/Folklore
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| Research Institution | Kyushu University |
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Principal Investigator |
TANI Masakazu Kyushu University, Faculty of Design, Associate Professor (60281549)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
TANOUE Keni-chi Kyushu University, Faculty of Design, Associate Professor (50284956)
KOBAYASI Masashi Hokurikugakuin Junior College, Professor (50225538)
IRIYA Takao Miyazaki University, Faculty of Education and Culture, Professor (30211759)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2004 – 2007
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| Keywords | Cultural anthropology / Arsenic contamination / International cooperation / Area study / Bangladesh / Nepal |
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| Research Abstract |
This study investigated socio-cultural factors involved in the management of safe water devices in Bangladesh and Nepal in order to investigate the causes of the lack of local participation in arsenic mitigation.
Nearly 100% of the surveyed population in Bangladesh knew about potential health risks associated with arsenic. Despite of their understanding of the arsenic problem, their participation in arsenic mitigation was not very active. This may be explained by that fact that the heavy presence of outsiders in arsenic mitigation generates some dependence on the resident side. Unlike Bangladesh, there has been no comprehensive arsenic mitigation project in Nepal. Without heavy outside intervention, residents in an arsenic contaminated village act on this issue and constructed two new safe tubewells on their own.
Once a safe water device is installed, its maintenance poses another problem. This study found that those communities of high solidarity tend to maintain their safe water devices stably. With regard to the use of safe water devices, this study demonstrated that convenience is culturally constructed. Because of the Pardah custom, many females are hesitant to go to a public place where they would be exposed to the general public. Therefore, a "convenient" location decided by outsiders was proved quite otherwise for the users of the safe water device.
This study examined a few possible reasons for residents' inactivity in arsenic mitigation, and analyzed the maintenance and use of safe water devices. Its results indicate that most people know about arsenic risks, and consider arsenic to be a serious problem. A possible reason for their inactivity may be attributed to the way of the outsiders' involvement. Since the maintenance and use of a safe water device is likely to be affected by social conditions and cultural customs, development planning should be explicitly aware of local socio-cultural factors.
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