Swachh Bharat Mission achieves open defecation-free status in Kullu district
The Swachh Bharat Mission has been successful in achieving the open defecation-free (ODF) plus status for 251 villages in the Kullu district over the past 11 months. This article discusses the different categories of ODF villages and the targets set to achieve the mission goals.
Categories of ODF villages
The Union Government has set levels/categories for ODF+ villages, which are assessed on a regular basis. The categories include ODF+, ODF+ aspiring, ODF+ rising, and ODF+ model.
ODF+ villages have a complete ban on open defecation, toilets in every household and institution, and at least one public toilet built at the gram panchayat level. ODF+ aspiring villages maintain the ODF status and have solid or liquid waste management in place. ODF+ rising villages maintain the ODF status and have arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management. ODF+ model villages maintain the ODF status, have solid and liquid waste management in place, and have no garbage, filth, or dirty water flowing in the open. There’s also no dumping of plastic in public places. ODF IEC messages are propagated in these villages.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| ODF+ | A complete ban on open defecation, toilets in every household and institution, and at least one public toilet at the gram panchayat level |
| ODF+ aspiring | Maintains ODF status and has solid or liquid waste management in place |
| ODF+ rising | Maintains ODF status and has arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management |
| ODF+ model | Maintains ODF status has solid and liquid waste management in place, no garbage, filth, dirty water flowing in the open, and no dumping of plastic in public places. ODF IEC messages propagated. |
Targets set for every panchayat in the Kullu district
To achieve the mission goals, targets have been fixed for every panchayat in the district, and a timeline has been set to complete them. The district had 134 villages under the ODF+ category until the end of the last session, but now the number has increased to 259, with 125 villages added to the category. Additionally, four more villages have been added to the ODF+ aspiring category, taking the total to eight. In 11 months, 114 more villages have been added to the ODF+ rising category, taking the total to 243. The ODF+ model category now has nine villages, with eight new villages added.
Intensification of cleanliness campaign
On October 2, 2016, the government formally declared Kullu an ODF district. Since then, the cleanliness campaign has been intensified with scientific and effective methods of solid and liquid waste management being implemented. Additionally, new twin technologies are being promoted for toilets.
Conclusion
The success of achieving the ODF+ status for 251 villages in the Kullu district under the Swachh Bharat Mission is a significant achievement. The different categories of ODF villages and the targets set for every panchayat in the district ensure that the mission goals are fulfilled. The intensification of the cleanliness campaign with scientific and effective methods of waste management will help maintain the ODF status and promote better hygiene in the district.
