India: Waste in Calcutta

As we enter the 21st century, over half of the world's population now resides in cities, the result of a long evolving migration that has created immense social, cultural and political changes, as well as spawned a plethora of unique problems, many of which are environmental. One of a four-part series that takes a refreshingly optimistic approach to the urban revolution, showing how simple solutions--often created indigenously--can be effective, India: Waste in Calcutta showcases a well-known place where the sprawling mass of humanity generates 75 million liters of waste water each day. Despite its reputation as an impoverished third world city, however, Calcutta's citizens are developing an inventive recycling system that treats waste as a resource. Sewage is directed through pumping plants where waste New Dimension Media is removed, before being channeled into the outlying 125 square kilometers of wetlands, where plants safely absorb toxic-to-us chemicals. Because the water is so rich in fertilizer, the land it irrigates produces an abundance of crops, and by the time it reaches the lakes, it is pure enough to support fish. The result is that over 12,500 people are employed in fishing and agricultural production that provides a full third of Calcutta's food demands. An excellent script and high production values make this a good choice. The other titles in the series are Brazil: Energy in São Paulo, Germany: Transportation in Erlangen and Peru: Housing in Cajamarca. Recommended. Aud: I, J, H. (E. Gieschen)