Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Objective, Impact, Challenges, Achievements
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a nationwide cleanliness campaign initiated by the Indian government to promote sanitation, hygiene, and cleanliness across the country.
Parul Rishi8 May, 2024
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Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, is a national cleanliness campaign aimed at transforming India's sanitation landscape. It seeks to achieve the vision of a clean and hygienic India, in line with Mahatma Gandhi's ideals, by the 150th anniversary of his birth on 2nd October 2019.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Swachh Bharat Mission, also known as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Mission, is a nationwide campaign launched by the Government of India on 2nd October 2014. It aims to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management, and create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages. The mission, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, involves building toilets, raising awareness about sanitation practices, and eradicating manual scavenging. Divided into two phases, the first phase focused on constructing toilets and achieving ODF status by 2019, while the second phase aims to sustain ODF status, improve waste management, and enhance the lives of sanitation workers. The campaign has been a significant step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 and has received both praise and criticism for its implementation methods. Check more about Government Schemes in India here.Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Objectives
- Cleanliness Promotion: The campaign focuses on promoting cleanliness habits among citizens through awareness campaigns, education, and behavioral change initiatives.
- Elimination of Open Defecation: One of the primary goals is to eliminate open defecation by constructing millions of toilets across rural and urban areas and encouraging the use of sanitary facilities.
- Solid Waste Management: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aims to address the issue of solid waste management by promoting proper disposal, recycling, and management of waste to maintain cleanliness and environmental sustainability.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Impact
According to government data, over 100 million individual household toilets have been built in rural areas, along with 6 million in urban areas. Additionally, nearly 6 million community and public toilets have been constructed in urban areas. As a result, more than 4,200 cities and over 600,000 villages in India have declared themselves open defecation-free. An independent survey by the Quality Council of India revealed that rural household access to toilets increased to 62.5%, with 91.3% of people using them. Haryana ranked highest with 99% coverage and 100% usage. UNICEF reports a significant decrease in the number of people without toilets, from 550 million to 50 million. The World Bank notes that 96% of Indians with toilets use them, while WHO estimates that the Swachh Bharat Mission prevented 180,000 diarrheal deaths in rural India. A study by Ashoka University found that the construction of toilets under the program led to a decrease in incidents of sexual assault against women. Access to toilets for women has been shown to reduce rates of sexual assault. Despite the program's patriarchal goal of "preserving the dignity of women," scholars highlight the unintended benefit of reducing violence against women. National Family Health Surveys data demonstrate an increase in access to improved sanitation post-2015, with 3.4% of households gaining access compared to just 1.5% earlier.Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Achievements
- Toilet Construction: The campaign has made significant progress in constructing toilets in both rural and urban areas, providing millions of households with access to sanitation facilities.
- Behavioral Change: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has led to increased awareness and improved sanitation practices among citizens, contributing to a cleaner environment.
- International Recognition: India's efforts towards sanitation and cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have received recognition from international organizations, highlighting the impact and importance of the campaign on a global scale.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Challenges
- Behavioral Change: Overcoming deep-rooted habits and cultural practices related to sanitation poses a challenge in achieving sustained behavioral change among the population.
- Infrastructure: Ensuring the availability of adequate infrastructure for waste management and sanitation facilities in all regions, particularly in remote and underserved areas, remains a challenge.
- Sustainability: Maintaining the momentum of the campaign and ensuring the sustainability of sanitation efforts beyond the initial targets require continuous commitment and resources.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Future Directions
- Continued Efforts: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aims to sustain the progress achieved and continue working towards the vision of a clean and hygienic India beyond the initial targets.
- Innovative Solutions: Implementing innovative solutions and technologies for waste management, sanitation, and cleanliness to address emerging challenges and improve efficiency.
- Community Participation: Encouraging active participation of communities, local bodies, and stakeholders in maintaining cleanliness, promoting sanitation practices, and ensuring the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan at the grassroots level.
Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0
Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 has received a budget allocation of Rs 1,41,678 crores in the Union Budget 2021. Its components include wastewater treatment, sustainable sanitation, solid waste management, information & education, and capacity building. The expected achievements of SBM-Urban 2.0 include ODF+ and ODF++ certifications for all statutory towns, Water+ certification for half of the smaller towns, and a 3-star Garbage Free rating for all statutory towns. The objective of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is to promote cleanliness awareness and provide basic sanitation facilities like toilets, waste disposal systems, and clean drinking water to every person. The action plan, laid out by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, aims to triple sanitation facilities by 2019, with highlights including increasing toilet construction and launching awareness campaigns.Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 1.0
Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 1.0, under the Ministry of Urban Development, aims to provide sanitation and household toilet facilities to all 4041 statutory towns. It focuses on individual household toilets, community toilets, solid waste management, and public awareness to eradicate open defecation and promote healthy sanitation practices.Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural)
The Rural mission, known as Swachh Bharat Gramin, aims to make Village Panchayats open defecation free by providing individual latrines, building cluster and community toilets, and improving sanitation amenities in schools and Anganwadi centers. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has emerged as a transformative initiative, driving significant improvements in sanitation and cleanliness across India. With continued efforts, innovation, and community participation, the campaign aims to realize its vision of a Swachh Bharat, ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for all citizens. To succeed in upcoming exams, candidates should consider exploring PW SSC Books We provide high-quality content at an affordable price, including sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more to ensure aspirants secure their selection. Also, enroll today on SSC Online Coaching to turn your dreams into reality.Swachh Bharat Abhiyan FAQs
What is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a nationwide cleanliness campaign launched by the Indian government to promote sanitation and hygiene.
Who initiated Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd October 2014.
What are the objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
The objectives include eradicating open defecation, promoting cleanliness, and ensuring access to sanitation facilities.
What are some achievements of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
Achievements include construction of millions of toilets, improved sanitation practices, and declaration of ODF (Open Defecation Free) villages and towns.
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