Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II- Policies and interventions
In news The Ministry of Jal Shakti began ‘SUJALAM’, a ‘100 days campaign’ as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
About the initiative
Objective: To create more and more ODF (Open Defecation Free) Plus villages by undertaking waste water management at village level particularly through creation of 1 million Soak-pits and also other Grey water management activities.
Waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances is known as grey water.
The effort of the campaign would be directed towards achieving the ODF plus status for villages across the country in an accelerated manner in a short time.
ODF: At any point of the day, not even a single person is found defecating in the open.
ODF+: At any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating and/or urinating in the open, and all community and public toilets are functional and well maintained.
ODF++: If the area is already ODF+ and the faecal sludge/septage and sewage are safely managed and treated
The campaign will also aid in sustainable management of water bodies.
Significance and benefits: The disposal of waste water and clogging of waterbodies in the villages or on the outskirts of the villages remain one of the major problems.
The Campaign would help in management of the wastewater and in turn would help to revive the water bodies.
Furthermore, the campaign would boost the momentum of SBMG (Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin) phase II activities through community participation and it will increase awareness about ODF-plus activities. Hence ensuring long term maintenance and sustainability of built infrastructure.
The key activities that will be organised in the villages under this campaign include:
Organizing Community consultations, Khuli Baithaks and Gram Sabha meetings to analyze the current situation
Pass resolution to maintain ODF sustainability and achieve needed number of soak pits to manage the grey water
Develop a 100 days’ plan to undertake sustainability and soak pit construction related activities
Construct requisite number of soak pits
Retrofit toilets where needed through IEC and community mobilization and
Ensure all newly emerging Households in the village have access to toilets.
