Swachh Bharat Abhiyan - Objectives, Components, Funding Pattern, Achievements & Challenges

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched on October 2, 2014, is a nationwide campaign aimed at cleaning up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of India's cities and rural areas. It focuses on eliminating open defecation, eradicating manual scavenging, and implementing effective solid waste management systems. The mission promotes cleanliness and hygiene through the construction of household, community, and public toilets, as well as public awareness campaigns to foster behavioral change. By involving municipal bodies, the private sector, and citizens, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan strives to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment across the country.

Source: National Portal of India

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What is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) is a national campaign initiated by the Government of India to clean the streets, roads, and infrastructure of the country’s cities and villages. Launched on October 2, 2014, SBA aims to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean and sanitary India. This initiative not only focuses on sanitation but also aims to bring about behavioral change in the people towards cleanliness and hygiene.

Historical Background of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

The journey towards a clean India has deep roots in the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He emphasized cleanliness and sanitation as integral to the nation’s progress. Gandhi believed that cleanliness was more important than independence. Despite various cleanliness initiatives in post-independence India, significant challenges remained. Programs like the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (1986) and the Total Sanitation Campaign (1999) laid the groundwork. However, the need for a more comprehensive approach led to the launch of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2014. This marked a significant shift towards a mass movement involving every citizen.

Also, read the article on the NITI Aayog here!

Objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was conceived with specific, ambitious objectives:

• Eliminate Open Defecation: Construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets to reduce and eventually eliminate open defecation.
• Eradicate Manual Scavenging: Implement measures to completely eradicate the inhumane practice of manual scavenging.
• Solid Waste Management: Establish modern and scientific methods for the collection, segregation, and disposal of municipal solid waste.
• Behavioral Change: Motivate communities to adopt sustainable sanitation practices and promote cleanliness.
• Raise Awareness: Create widespread awareness about sanitation and its critical link to public health.

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Sub-Missions of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)

Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) primarily aims to address the sanitation and waste management challenges in India's rapidly expanding urban areas. Launched on October 2, 2014, SBM (Urban) focuses on eliminating open defecation through the construction of household, community, and public toilets. It also prioritizes establishing modern solid waste management systems tailored to urban contexts. Key components include door-to-door waste collection, segregation at source, and both composting and recycling facilities. Public awareness campaigns play a crucial role in fostering behavioral change among urban residents. It promotes a culture of cleanliness and hygiene. The mission also encourages active participation from municipal bodies, private sector players, and citizens. It thus forms a collaborative framework to sustainably maintain urban sanitation standards. By addressing urban-specific challenges like higher population density and complex waste streams, SBM (Urban) aims to create cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable cities.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural)

Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), also referred to as SBM (Rural), focuses on improving sanitation and hygiene in India's rural areas. Launched alongside its urban counterpart on October 2, 2014, SBM (Rural) aims to end open defecation across all villages by constructing individual household latrines (IHHL). It also provides financial incentives to encourage their use. It emphasizes community-led initiatives, involving village-level workers and Gram Panchayats to ensure effective implementation and sustainability. Key initiatives include promoting behavioral change through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns that highlight the importance of sanitation. Additionally, SBM (Rural) works on eradicating manual scavenging and establishing solid and liquid waste management systems suitable for rural environments. SBM (Rural) strives to achieve a clean, hygienic, and open defecation-free India, thereby improving public health and quality of life in rural regions.

Also, read the article on the PM MUDRA Yojana here!

Key Components of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is structured around several key components designed to address various aspects of sanitation and cleanliness across India.

Construction of Toilets

• Individual Household Latrines (IHHL): Financial assistance to individual households for constructing toilets.
• Community and Public Toilets: Construction of community toilets, particularly in densely populated areas and public places.
• Urinals: Installed in high-footfall areas to cater to immediate sanitation needs.

Solid Waste Management

• Waste Collection and Segregation: Door-to-door garbage collection and segregation at source.
• Composting and Treatment: Promotion of composting, biogas plants, and material recovery facilities for effective waste treatment.
• Innovations and Technology: Use of technology and innovations to improve waste management systems, including waste-to-energy plants.

Information, Education, and Communication (IEC)

• Behavioral Change Campaigns: Massive outreach initiatives to educate people about the importance of sanitation.
• Media and Publicity: Use of media, celebrity endorsements, and digital platforms to spread the message.
• School Programs: Inclusion of sanitation and hygiene education in school curricula.

Involvement of Various Stakeholders

• Government Bodies: Active participation of central, state, and local government bodies.
• Private Sector: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by private companies.
• NGOs and Civil Society: Collaboration with NGOs for grassroots implementation.
• Citizens: Encouraging individuals to take responsibility for cleanliness in their areas.

Implementation and Progress of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Since its inception, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has made significant strides. Over the years, millions of toilets have been constructed, significantly reducing the number of people practicing open defecation. Numerous villages have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). The involvement of Gram Panchayats and urban local bodies has been crucial in driving local-level initiatives. Success stories emerge from many states, showcasing model villages and cities that have achieved and sustained high standards of cleanliness and sanitation. The government’s meticulous tracking and regular feedback mechanisms have ensured that the mission remains on course.

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Benefits of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

The impact of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan extends beyond mere numbers. The following benefits have been observed:

• Improvement in Public Health: Reduced incidence of water-borne diseases and overall improvement in public health indicators.
• Economic Benefits: Increased tourism and productivity due to cleaner surroundings.
• Social Empowerment: Enhanced dignity and safety, especially for women, who no longer have to defecate in the open.
• Environmental Impact: Cleaner rivers, reduced pollution, and a more sustainable environment.

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Challenges and Issues Associated with Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Despite its successes, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan faces several challenges:

• Behavioral Resistance: Resistance to using toilets due to deeply ingrained cultural and behavioral norms.
• Maintenance of Infrastructure: Ensuring the maintenance and sustainability of constructed toilets.
• Urban Challenges: Effective waste disposal and management in densely populated cities.
• Resource Allocation: Adequate funding and resource allocation for continuous implementation.
• Sustaining ODF Status: Keeping villages and cities free of open defecation over the long term.

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Way Forward

For the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to sustain and build on its successes, continuous efforts are required. Future strategies must focus on:

• Strengthening Behavioral Change Campaigns: Persistent efforts to change public attitudes towards sanitation.
• Innovative Waste Management Solutions: Adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methods for waste treatment.
• Community Participation: Greater involvement of local communities in sanitation initiatives.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Enhanced collaboration between government and private entities for resource-sharing and effective implementation.
• Policy and Legislation: Formulating and enforcing robust policies to support sanitation infrastructure and practices.

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Conclusion

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, with its comprehensive approach, has brought significant improvements in India's cleanliness and sanitation landscape. The mission must continue to evolve, addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities to achieve a truly clean India. Through sustained collective effort, the vision of a Swachh Bharat can be transformed into reality, fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s dream and propelling the nation toward holistic development.

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