Latest news with #ODFPlusModel
Economic Times
2 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
Only 54% of verified villages achieve 'ODF plus model' status despite 80% coverage: Govt review
TIL Creatives Representational AI Image. While 80 per cent of villages targeted under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) are open defecation free and have solid and liquid waste managements systems in place, only 54 per cent are officially verified, a government review found. The data was presented at the National Rural Sanitation Workshop held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The review also showed that grey water management has reached 91 per cent national coverage, with more than 20 states and Union territories crossing the 95 per cent mark. Solid waste management stands at 87 per cent, while plastic waste management has achieved 70 per cent block-level coverage though concerns about functional sustainability remain. According to official data presented, 80 per cent of targeted villages have achieved ODF Plus Model status, while only 54 per cent have been verified. ODF Plus Model village has a sustained open defecation free status, has arrangements for solid waste management liquid waste management and observes visual cleanliness i.e., minimal litter, minimal stagnant wastewater, no plastic waste dump in public places and displays ODF related messages. The workshop, jointly organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and UNICEF India, brought together state mission directors, government officials, sector experts and development partners to assess the current status of rural sanitation and chart the path forward. Addressing the event, DDWS Secretary Ashok KK Meena said, "Sanitation is not just about infrastructure, it is about dignity, equity and sustainability. The next phase of SBM-G must continue to build on the collective momentum of the last decade and anchor local leadership in delivery." Two key technical publications were launched during the workshop: 'standard operating procedures for the safety and dignity of sanitation workers in rural India' and 'protocol for developing climate resilient sanitation technical designs and services'. UNICEF's chief of WASH and CCES, Karina Malczweska, stressed the importance of transitioning to climate-resilient and future-ready sanitation systems. Kamal Kishore Soan, Mission Director of SBM-G and Jal Jeevan Mission, called the workshop a platform for reflection and recalibration. "As climate risks intensify, integrating resilience into sanitation systems is no longer optional, it is essential," he said. A dedicated session led by Additional Secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj highlighted the role of gram panchayats in sustaining sanitation outcomes. Over 2.5 lakh panchayats have prepared thematic development plans via the e-GramSwaraj platform and are monitoring progress using the Panchayat Advancement Index. Award-winning panchayats showcased best practices such as 100 per cent waste segregation, large-scale composting, and eco-friendly solutions.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Only 54% of verified villages achieve 'ODF plus model' status despite 80% coverage: Govt review
While 80 per cent of villages targeted under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) are open defecation free and have solid and liquid waste managements systems in place, only 54 per cent are officially verified, a government review found. The data was presented at the National Rural Sanitation Workshop held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The review also showed that grey water management has reached 91 per cent national coverage, with more than 20 states and Union territories crossing the 95 per cent mark. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Solid waste management stands at 87 per cent, while plastic waste management has achieved 70 per cent block-level coverage though concerns about functional sustainability remain. According to official data presented, 80 per cent of targeted villages have achieved ODF Plus Model status, while only 54 per cent have been verified. Live Events ODF Plus Model village has a sustained open defecation free status, has arrangements for solid waste management liquid waste management and observes visual cleanliness i.e., minimal litter, minimal stagnant wastewater, no plastic waste dump in public places and displays ODF related messages. The workshop, jointly organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and UNICEF India , brought together state mission directors, government officials, sector experts and development partners to assess the current status of rural sanitation and chart the path forward. Addressing the event, DDWS Secretary Ashok KK Meena said, "Sanitation is not just about infrastructure, it is about dignity, equity and sustainability. The next phase of SBM-G must continue to build on the collective momentum of the last decade and anchor local leadership in delivery." Two key technical publications were launched during the workshop: 'standard operating procedures for the safety and dignity of sanitation workers in rural India' and 'protocol for developing climate resilient sanitation technical designs and services'. UNICEF's chief of WASH and CCES, Karina Malczweska, stressed the importance of transitioning to climate-resilient and future-ready sanitation systems. Kamal Kishore Soan, Mission Director of SBM-G and Jal Jeevan Mission, called the workshop a platform for reflection and recalibration. "As climate risks intensify, integrating resilience into sanitation systems is no longer optional, it is essential," he said. A dedicated session led by Additional Secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj highlighted the role of gram panchayats in sustaining sanitation outcomes. Over 2.5 lakh panchayats have prepared thematic development plans via the e-GramSwaraj platform and are monitoring progress using the Panchayat Advancement Index. Award-winning panchayats showcased best practices such as 100 per cent waste segregation, large-scale composting, and eco-friendly solutions.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
Only 54% villages verified as 'ODF plus model' despite 80% coverage: Govt
While 80 per cent of villages targeted under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) are open defecation free and have solid and liquid waste managements systems in place, only 54 per cent are officially verified, a government review found. The data was presented at the National Rural Sanitation Workshop held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The review also showed that grey water management has reached 91 per cent national coverage, with more than 20 states and Union territories crossing the 95 per cent mark. Solid waste management stands at 87 per cent, while plastic waste management has achieved 70 per cent block-level coverage though concerns about functional sustainability remain. According to official data presented, 80 per cent of targeted villages have achieved ODF Plus Model status, while only 54 per cent have been verified. ODF Plus Model village has a sustained open defecation free status, has arrangements for solid waste management liquid waste management and observes visual cleanliness i.e., minimal litter, minimal stagnant wastewater, no plastic waste dump in public places and displays ODF related messages. The workshop, jointly organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and UNICEF India, brought together state mission directors, government officials, sector experts and development partners to assess the current status of rural sanitation and chart the path forward. Addressing the event, DDWS Secretary Ashok KK Meena said, "Sanitation is not just about infrastructure, it is about dignity, equity and sustainability. The next phase of SBM-G must continue to build on the collective momentum of the last decade and anchor local leadership in delivery." Two key technical publications were launched during the workshop: 'standard operating procedures for the safety and dignity of sanitation workers in rural India' and 'protocol for developing climate resilient sanitation technical designs and services'. UNICEF's chief of WASH and CCES, Karina Malczweska, stressed the importance of transitioning to climate-resilient and future-ready sanitation systems. Kamal Kishore Soan, Mission Director of SBM-G and Jal Jeevan Mission, called the workshop a platform for reflection and recalibration. "As climate risks intensify, integrating resilience into sanitation systems is no longer optional, it is essential," he said. A dedicated session led by Additional Secretary Sushil Kumar Lohani from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj highlighted the role of gram panchayats in sustaining sanitation outcomes. Over 2.5 lakh panchayats have prepared thematic development plans via the e-GramSwaraj platform and are monitoring progress using the Panchayat Advancement Index. Award-winning panchayats showcased best practices such as 100 per cent waste segregation, large-scale composting, and eco-friendly solutions. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hans India
26-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Plastic-for-meals, pads-for-waste: Rural India reimagining sanitation solutions
India's path to reaching the milestone of having 77 per cent of its villages as a ODF Plus Model has been quietly paved by local experiments -- from plastic-for-meals drives to tourism-funded waste management systems. A village can attain ODF Plus Model status once it sustains its open defecation-free position, has arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management, observes visual cleanliness, and displays ODF Plus information, education and communication messages. Going by official data, more than 5.10 lakh villages have arrangements for solid waste disposal while over 5.26 lakh have systems for liquid waste management. More than 1,200 biogas plants are registered and over 6.38 lakh vehicles have been deployed for waste collection. Yet, beyond these statistics, it is the local leadership and community-led initiatives that are shaping how rural India is managing its waste. With plastic waste being a significant hindrance to sanitation, Suman Dangi of Karnal district in Haryana has adopted an ingenuous way to solve the problem -- bring 500 grams of clean, recyclable plastic and get a hot meal in return. She and her self-help group launched the initiative with a Rs 50,000 loan and have since collected over 1,500 kg of plastic and served more than 3,000 meals. Running the programme at the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen in Bhushli village, Dangi said the idea was born out of necessity. 'Plastic is everywhere and people are hungry. We found a way to tackle both,' she says. A similar social initiative is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district. Here, women are trying to address plastic pollution and menstrual hygiene together. Christened 'Mera Plastic, Meri Jimmedari', women from Unchadeeh village are given a pack of sanitary pads for every two kg of plastic waste they collect. Initiated by Archana Tripathi, the village head, the program has seen support from health workers and school teachers who are encouraging women and girls to collect used plastic items. 'It's a small effort but it helps break taboos around menstruation while reducing plastic litter,' Tripathi said. In neighbouring Ghorawal block, Parmeshwar Pal, a village head, has taken on the task of collecting plastic waste in an e-rickshaw daily while urging locals to reduce single-use plastic. 'It's not glamorous work, but it starts conversations and changes habits,' he said. In the hill state of Uttarakhand, a revenue-backed waste management model has emerged in Sirasu village along the Ganga river. Once lacking basic sanitation, the village is now an ODF Plus Model site that funds its cleanliness drive through tourism. Since 2018, the local panchayat has charged Rs 1,000 for pre-wedding photoshoots and rented out tents and lighting equipment to generate Rs 50 lakh revenue over the years. The funds are used to maintain toilets, operate plastic waste collection centres, and improve infrastructure for the growing number of tourists. 'The photoshoots bring money that keeps the village clean,' said a member of the village panchayat. Community spirit and wisdom have transformed Niuland district's Ghokito village, just a kilometre from Kuhuboto town in Nagaland, into an ODF Plus Model Village that has 86 households and a population of just over 500. At the heart of Ghokito's waste management lies a simple yet powerful practice: backyard farming. Kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and leftovers are cooked with wheat bran and green leafy vegetables to create feed for pigs, raised by nearly every household. This turns waste into a resource for the livestock and reduces landfill waste. Children also play a vital role in Ghokito's sustainability efforts. Every week, students from the Sunday school collect plastic waste from homes and by-lanes, segregating it for sale to a recycling network. The earnings fund their ministry activities, creating a cycle of community benefit. Cleanliness in Ghokito is a culture, not a one-time effort. A water and sanitation committee conducts monthly inspections to ensure toilets are clean and functional, with special attention to the hygiene of migrant workers. Although the Central government has focused on infrastructure push with over 1,825 rural plastic waste units set up, the stories from Bhushli, Ghokito, Unchadeeh, and Sirasu highlight a shift in approach: local solutions for local problems. 'Whether through informal barters or leveraging tourism, rural India's waste crisis is being tackled in ways that go beyond policy documents,' a senior official said. As India moves closer to its sanitation targets, the next challenge will be sustaining these efforts and ensuring they remain community-led and economically viable, the official added.
The Print
24-05-2025
- General
- The Print
Plastic-for-meals, pads-for-waste: Rural India reimagining sanitation solutions
Going by official data, more than 5.10 lakh villages have arrangements for solid waste disposal while over 5.26 lakh have systems for liquid waste management. More than 1,200 biogas plants are registered and over 6.38 lakh vehicles have been deployed for waste collection. A village can attain ODF Plus Model status once it sustains its open defecation-free position, has arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management, observes visual cleanliness, and displays ODF Plus information, education and communication messages. New Delhi, May 24 (PTI) India's path to reaching the milestone of having 77 per cent of its villages as ODF Plus Model has been quietly paved by local experiments — from plastic-for-meals drives to tourism-funded waste management systems. Yet, beyond these statistics, it is the local leadership and community-led initiatives that are shaping how rural India is managing its waste. With plastic waste being a significant hindrance to sanitation, Suman Dangi of Karnal district in Haryana has adopted an ingenuous way to solve the problem — bring 500 grams of clean, recyclable plastic and get a hot meal in return. She and her self-help group launched the initiative with a Rs 50,000 loan and have since collected over 1,500 kilograms of plastic and served more than 3,000 meals. Running the programme at the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteen in Bhushli village, Dangi said the idea was born out of necessity. 'Plastic is everywhere and people are hungry. We found a way to tackle both.' A similar social initiative is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district. Here, women are trying to address plastic pollution and menstrual hygiene together. Christened 'Mera Plastic, Meri Jimmedari', women of the Unchadeeh village panchayat are given a pack of sanitary pads for every 2 kg of plastic waste they collect. Initiated by Archana Tripathi, the village head, the program has seen support from health workers and school teachers who are encouraging women and girls to collect used plastic items. 'It's a small effort but it helps break taboos around menstruation while reducing plastic litter,' Tripathi said. In neighbouring Ghorawal block, Parmeshwar Pal, a village head, has taken on the task of collecting plastic waste in an e-rickshaw daily while urging locals to reduce single-use plastic. 'It's not a glamorous work, but it starts conversations and changes habits,' he said. In the hill state of Uttarakhand, a revenue-backed waste management model has emerged in Sirasu village along the Ganga river. Once lacking basic sanitation, the village is now an ODF Plus Model site that funds its cleanliness drive through tourism. Since 2018, the local panchayat has charged Rs 1,000 for pre-wedding photo shoots and rented out tents and lighting equipment to generate Rs 50 lakh revenue over the years. The funds are used to maintain toilets, operate plastic waste collection centres, and improve infrastructure for the growing number of tourists. 'The photoshoots bring money that keeps the village clean,' said a member of the village panchayat. Community spirit and wisdom have transformed Niuland district's Ghokito village, just a kilometre from Kuhuboto town in Nagaland, into an ODF Plus Model Village that has 86 households and a population of just over 500. At the heart of Ghokito's waste management lies a simple yet powerful practice: backyard farming. Kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and leftovers are cooked with wheat bran and green leafy vegetables to create feed for pigs, raised by nearly every household. This turns waste into a resource for the livestock and reduces landfill waste. Children also play a vital role in Ghokito's sustainability efforts. Every week, students from the village's Sunday School collect plastic waste from homes and by-lanes, segregating it for sale to a recycling network. The earnings fund their ministry activities, creating a cycle of community benefit. Cleanliness in Ghokito is a culture, not a one-time effort. A water and sanitation committee conducts monthly inspections to ensure toilets are clean and functional, with special attention to the hygiene of migrant workers. Although the Central government has focused on infrastructure push with over 1,825 rural plastic waste units set up, the stories from Bhushli, Ghokito, Unchadeeh, and Sirasu highlight a shift in approach: local solutions for local problems. 'Whether through informal barters or leveraging tourism, rural India's waste crisis is being tackled in ways that go beyond policy documents,' a senior official said. As India moves closer to its sanitation targets, the next challenge will be sustaining these efforts and ensuring they remain community-led and economically viable, the official added. PTI UZM NSD NSD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
