Assessing Environment Sustainability in Urban Slums: A Case Study of Amarpur Batlohiya Slum in Varanasi City, Uttar Pradesh, India

Sustainability is the utmost priority in today’s world. Sustainable environment to the coming generations is the prime responsibility of each one of us. Slums are part of urban environment and are such places of residence which has significant role to play in the sustainability of the environment. The environment in Indian slums is odious and malodorous. Slum dwellers' interactions with the environment will ultimately influence their vulnerability to environmental problems. The present study is a case study conducted in Amarpur Batlohiya slum of Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. Amarpur Batlohiya is one of the biggest slums with its unique set up of socio- economic practices. This research employs a primary survey method, collecting quantitative data through observations,, structured questionnaires from slum households using structured interviews which ensure standardized data collection, higher response rate, better comprehension and minimized misinterpretation. This investigation primarily highlights the socio-economic status of slum inhabitants. Housing conditions, access to energy, clean and safe drinking water and sanitation are the key factors affecting sustainability in the slum. The analysis highlights that health determinants positively correlate with environmental (r=0.182) and social factors (r=0.210) emphasizing their role in health outcomes. This micro-level assessment of environmental sustainability reveals low range reflecting negative relationship with environmental sustainability, emphasizing the need for localized policy interventions. The study uniquely examines environmental sustainability in study area, correlating socio-economic and health determinants with sustainability, highlighting localized challenges, and advocating targeted policy interventions for holistic slum development.