The Dharavi slum is located in Mumbai, India between the suburbs of Mahim and Sion. It began as an island in the 18th century and was taken over by an Indian warlord in 1739. Over time, it grew into a densely populated and impoverished area lacking basic amenities like sewage and fresh water. Living conditions are poor with cramped and unsanitary housing. Residents face issues such as unemployment, domestic violence, child labor, exploitation, and corruption. Solutions proposed include government support to improve housing, sanitation, and access to services.

1. The Dharavi slumThe Dharavi slum
Mumbai, IndiaMumbai, India
Mustafa Ozcan 10A

2. LocationLocation
Located in the suburbs ofLocated in the suburbs of
Mumbai, betweenMumbai, between
Mahim in the west andMahim in the west and
Sion in the eastSion in the east

3. HistoryHistory
 In the 18th century, Dharavi was an island.In the 18th century, Dharavi was an island.
 Was taken over by an Indian warlord, Chimnaji Appa in 1739.Was taken over by an Indian warlord, Chimnaji Appa in 1739.
 Before the 19Before the 19thth
Century Dharavi was a swamp, with fishermen livingCentury Dharavi was a swamp, with fishermen living
in.in.
 Population growth in Dharavi was very high, with merchants comingPopulation growth in Dharavi was very high, with merchants coming
in from different parts of India.in from different parts of India.
 First school was constructed for use in Dharavi in 1924.First school was constructed for use in Dharavi in 1924.
 In the 1960’s Dharavi’s Co-operative Housing Society took action toIn the 1960’s Dharavi’s Co-operative Housing Society took action to
uplift the lives of people living in the slum by building 338 flats anduplift the lives of people living in the slum by building 338 flats and
97 shops.97 shops.

4. Living conditionsLiving conditions
Living conditions in the shanty settlement of Dharavi, isLiving conditions in the shanty settlement of Dharavi, is
obviously terrible mainly due to the lack of amenities,obviously terrible mainly due to the lack of amenities,
sewers and fresh water. The streets are polluted with dirtsewers and fresh water. The streets are polluted with dirt
and mud. The shelters are covered with randomand mud. The shelters are covered with random
material,material,

5. Here are some pictures:Here are some pictures:

6. Social problemsSocial problems
The slum environment can be the perfect place to haveThe slum environment can be the perfect place to have
social problems. High unemployment is one of the majorsocial problems. High unemployment is one of the major
problems.problems. Cramped conditions mean that there isCramped conditions mean that there is
nowhere to go when tensions rise, a factor thatnowhere to go when tensions rise, a factor that
regularly leads to domestic violence. Sometimesregularly leads to domestic violence. Sometimes
the situation goes to the other extreme, wherethe situation goes to the other extreme, where
people abandon their homes, lured by thepeople abandon their homes, lured by the
prospect of oblivion through alcohol or drugprospect of oblivion through alcohol or drug
abuse. Once people develop such problems theabuse. Once people develop such problems the
prospects of finding work diminish. They fallprospects of finding work diminish. They fall
deeper into poverty and the cycle continues.deeper into poverty and the cycle continues.

7. Child laborChild labor
Many children in the slums start work at a very early ageMany children in the slums start work at a very early age
with no prospect of getting any education. They makewith no prospect of getting any education. They make
money by rag picking (trawling through rubbish dumps tomoney by rag picking (trawling through rubbish dumps to
retrieve anything that can be sold), selling newspapers inretrieve anything that can be sold), selling newspapers in
traffic jams, peddling drugs or begging. They are at risktraffic jams, peddling drugs or begging. They are at risk
of exploitation as well as all the health problems thatof exploitation as well as all the health problems that
accompany their lifestyles. Incest and abuse can occuraccompany their lifestyles. Incest and abuse can occur
and child marriages are still encouraged in some areas.and child marriages are still encouraged in some areas.

8. Gender inequalityGender inequality
Female babies could face discrimination, since they areFemale babies could face discrimination, since they are
thought to be useless for a family.thought to be useless for a family.
Male children are seen as a blessing in most parts of India,Male children are seen as a blessing in most parts of India,
especially in the slums. They are more likely to be sentespecially in the slums. They are more likely to be sent
to school and have a better way of life than the femaleto school and have a better way of life than the female
population.population.

9. Internal and external corruptionInternal and external corruption
Some people manage to achieve a high status within slumsSome people manage to achieve a high status within slums
and establish themselves as slumlords. They are oftenand establish themselves as slumlords. They are often
allies of certain politicians and gain control of sizeableallies of certain politicians and gain control of sizeable
chunks of the community land. By renting out the land,chunks of the community land. By renting out the land,
they make huge financial gains while everyone living inthey make huge financial gains while everyone living in
the slum struggles to survive on their meager earnings.the slum struggles to survive on their meager earnings.
The slumlords form elaborate links with local politicians,The slumlords form elaborate links with local politicians,
government officials and the police, and slum dwellersgovernment officials and the police, and slum dwellers
become dependent on them for the smallest ofbecome dependent on them for the smallest of
amenities. They have little empathy with the slumamenities. They have little empathy with the slum
residents and exploit them by charging highly inflatedresidents and exploit them by charging highly inflated
prices for illegal electricity and water supplies or forprices for illegal electricity and water supplies or for
constructing huts.constructing huts.

10. SolutionsSolutions
 Government can develop strategies to avoid anotherGovernment can develop strategies to avoid another
slum being built and should include affordable land,slum being built and should include affordable land,
reasonably priced materials, employment opportunitiesreasonably priced materials, employment opportunities
and social services.and social services.
 The shanty settlements could be improved with theThe shanty settlements could be improved with the
support of the government and the public. Improvementssupport of the government and the public. Improvements
can be better housing, water, sanitation, medicalcan be better housing, water, sanitation, medical
services, energy and urban services, such as garbageservices, energy and urban services, such as garbage
disposal.disposal.