Article 35 of the Constitution of Nepal ensures the right to health as a fundamental right. Sub-article 4 of the same Article states that every citizen shall have the right to access clean drinking water and sanitation. However, the status of public toilets in Koshi Province is extremely inadequate based on the population. According to the National Census 2022, the population of Koshi Province is 4,961,412. Although the number of public toilets should meet the standards set by the World Health Organization, there are only 240 public toilets in the province as per the data. According to the Nepal Human Rights Yearbook 2025 published by INSEC, there are only 240 public toilets currently in operation in Koshi Province. As per the meeting of the National Hygiene and Sanitation Steering Committee on September 30, 2019, Nepal was declared an Open defecation-free (ODF) zone by that time. However, considering the actual condition of public toilets in Koshi Province, most districts and local levels in the province are yet to be practically declared open defecation-free zones.
According to Taplejung representative Alina Diyali, the sanitation situation in the district is extremely poor. Despite having a population of 120,590, the district has only four operational public toilets. As per the details collected by INSEC from local levels, the condition of public toilets in the district is inadequate.
As per Sankhuwasabha representative Bhabin Karki, the sanitation situation and public toilets in the district are extremely poor. With a population of 158,041, the district has only 13 public toilets. Although it has been declared an open defecation-free zone, the lack of proper public toilets in the district headquarters forces people to use hotel restrooms to buy tea or snacks.
Solukhumbu representative Anju Karki says the lack of public toilets in the district has affected sanitation rights. With a population of 104,851, the district has only six public toilets. This has deprived the public of their right to sanitation, as guaranteed by the Constitution and World Health Organization standards.
Okhaldhunga representative Saraswati Baniya stated that the lack of public toilets has affected the sanitation rights of district residents. With a population of 139,552, the district has only seven public toilets.
As per Khotang representative Taranath Phuyal with a population of 175,298, the district has only 17 public toilets, preventing residents from having access to sanitation rights.
According to Bhojpur representative Ganesh Bista, the district faces both public toilet and drinking water issues. With a population of 157,923, the district has only six public toilets.
According to Dhankuta representative Ishwar Thapa, the lack of public toilets in proportion to the population has hindered the assurance of sanitation rights in the district. With a population of 150,599, the district has only eight public toilets.
According to Terhathum representative Suresh Khatri, the district with the lowest population in Koshi Province faces a shortage of public toilets, which has hindered the assurance of sanitation rights. There are only 12 public toilets in the district.
According to Panchthar representative Iwara Jebegu Limbu, the district, with a population of 172,400, faces issues due to the lack of sufficient public toilets. There are only 10 public toilets in operation across the district.
Ilam representative Manoj Adhikari says that despite repeated complaints about the lack of public toilets in one of the tourist spots of Nepal, the government has not addressed the sanitation issue. With a population of 279,534, the district has only 44 public toilets.
Jhapa representative Naresh Khati says the district has poor sanitation due to a lack of public toilets. With a population of 998,054, there are only 21 public toilets.
Morang representative Binod Subedi says that even in the provincial capital, Biratnagar, there are problems due to the lack of public toilets. With a population of 1,148,156, the district has only 40 public toilets, making it difficult to ensure sanitation rights for the residents.
According to Sunsari representative Jayakrishna Yadav, although the district has been declared an open defecation-free zone, it is not implemented practically. Due to a lack of public awareness, the sanitation situation in the district is extremely poor. With a population of 926,962, the district has only 38 public toilets in operation. This is far below the standards set by the World Health Organization.
According to Udayapur representative Rakesh Nepali, the district faces a lack of public toilets and also has drinking water issues. With a population of 340,721, the district has only 14 public toilets in operation, leaving residents deprived of their sanitation rights.