July 8th, 2012 
Tushar Mathur Recent records show, more than 60% of the rural (and even slums in the urban) part of India face the problem of open defecation. Numerous grounds influence this problem out of which, lack of sanitation facilities, scarcity of water, lack of hygienic consciousness and poverty are the prime causes.
In accordance with the studies conducted a while ago dreadful ailments such as, cholera, typhoid, diarrhea etc. are the outcome of defecation in open. Moreover, the conventional toilets with poor sanitation system are known to be contaminating the ground water sources. In view of the appalling issues, Indian Government is keen on providing eco-friendly toilets where the mentioned hitches are prevalent.
Various scientific institutions are in the verge of developing eco-friendly toilets. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) developed the eco-friendly toilets mainly for the purpose of the armed personnel deputed at the elevated areas. These eco-friendly toilets comprise a sort of bacteria that coordinates in converting the human waste into gaseous form. Presently, the DRDO is ready to permit the private bodies to manufacture these toilets.
The other sort of eco-friendly toilet is functional through phytorid technology in which the human waste is converted into water that can be used for agriculture. In certain regions of India where defecating in public is rampant, the eco-friendly toilets are provided to a certain number of households as an experimental movement. In this sort of toilets, ash is thrown to cover the human waste and consequently the odor is eliminated, and the residue could be used as manure after a certain period of time. Even the disposed urine is converted to fertilizer with this toilet.
These toilets are economical in comparison with the conventional septic tanks. Furthermore, water is saved to a large extent. In conventional septic tank systems excreta need to be removed twice a year, which is not the case with the eco-friendly toilets. However, washing is a bit upsetting with this toilet. The user should move towards the other side of the commode for liquid disposal as well as water usage.
In certain areas of sightseeing, the above mentioned eco-friendly toilets are used in a movable mode so the visitors do not feel any discomfort. As far as the practicality in the usage of the eco-friendly toilets is concerned, it is highly viable in the rural parts of India where the organic manure is required. Apart from that, these toilets are a good alternative to the conventional septic tanks which are known to be polluting the ground water.
The problem of sewage disposal does not arise by means of the usage of these toilets. These are highly of use where water scarcity is on the rampage. However, the eco-friendly toilets are not totally handy in the urban parts of India. The reason is that the residential areas are somewhat congested, and the gaseous form of the human waste may cause discomfort in the neighborhood. Since, organic manure is not useful in urban areas, these toilets may not be handy here.
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