10 YEARS OF SWACHH BHARAT MISSION (SBM)

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Context:

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched by the Prime Minister in 2014 to eliminate open defecation in India.

About the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

• The Prime Minister launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October 2014 to achieve universal sanitation coverage and make India "open-defecation free".
• The initiative intends to enhance the health and well-being of millions of Indians by building over 100 million toilets in rural regions, creating a global standard for community-driven sanitation reform.
• In rural areas, "SBM - Gramin" is funded and monitored by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (earlier Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation).
• "SBM - Urban" is overseen by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• The government provided subsidies for the construction of toilets.

Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen: Phase I (2014–2019)

• The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) Phase I was India's largest behavioural change movement that focused on sanitation efforts and public health.
• It aimed to end open defecation through awareness campaigns, education, and infrastructure development.
• The initiative combined with governmental and community engagement has improved hygiene and health, particularly in rural areas where sanitation facilities were lacking.

Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen: Phase II (2019–2025)

• Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen: Phase II aims to maintain ODF status and manage waste by 2025, focusing on "Sampoorn Swachhata" or complete cleanliness.
• It includes creating ODF Plus villages to improve sanitation standards.
• With an investment of Rs. 1.40 lakh crores, this phase integrates government schemes to enhance sanitation infrastructure.
• As of September 2024, more than 5.87 lakh villages have achieved ODF Plus status;
  • • Over 3.92 lakh implementing solid waste management systems
    • Over 4.95 lakh establishing liquid waste management systems.
• This phase saw the construction of over 11.64 crore household toilets and 2.41 lakh community sanitary complexes.

Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban

• The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) aims to achieve 100% Open defecation-free status, ensure scientific Solid Waste Management, and drive behaviour change through a "Jan Andolan" movement.
• As of September 2024, more than 63 lakh households and 6.3 lakh public toilets have been constructed.

The Nature, World’s Leading  Science Magazine, on The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

• The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has reduced infant and under-five mortality rates, saving 60,000-70,000 infant lives annually.
• Increased toilet access under SBM led to improved child survival outcomes.
• Toilet access and child mortality have a strong inverse association.
• Every 10% increase in district-level access to sanitation facilities resulted in a reduction in district-level infant and child mortality by 0.9 points and 1.1 points on average.
• SBM combines toilet construction with investments in Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and community engagement has reduced exposure to faecal-oral pathogens, contributing to lower incidences of diarrhoea and malnutrition.

Significance of Swachh Bharat Mission

• More than 100 million toilets were constructed to provide access to sanitation for millions of rural households.
• The ODF status improved hygiene and public health, particularly in underserved areas.
• Studies have linked SBM to a significant reduction in infant mortality and under-five mortality rates by improving hygiene and reducing exposure to diseases like diarrhoea and malnutrition.
• The campaign also emphasised behavioural change through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) efforts, leading to a lasting shift in sanitation practices across India.
• The construction of household toilets in rural areas, enhanced women's dignity and safety, reducing the need for them to travel far for defecation.
• In Phase II (2019-2025), the mission expanded to address waste management.
• The SBM has become a global model of community-driven sanitation reform, highlighting how large-scale improvements can be achieved quickly through collective action and government initiative.

Challenges of the Swachh Bharat Mission

• The mission aims to get ODF status, but sustaining this status remains a challenge.
• The transition from ODF to ODF Plus is complex, with many rural and urban areas lacking adequate waste treatment infrastructure, leading to improper disposal and environmental concerns.
• Water scarcity in some areas makes it difficult to maintain toilets and sanitation facilities, resulting in a decline in toilet usage.
• Sanitation worker welfare is also a concern, with harsh working conditions often overlooked.
• The urban-rural divide remains a challenge, particularly in slums and informal settlements.
• Behavioural challenges have limitations, with some communities resisting toilet use, especially in regions where open defecation is the traditional practice.
• Ensuring proper safety measures, fair wages, and better working conditions is essential for the long-term sustainability of the mission.

Way Forward for Swachh Bharat Mission

• There is a need to develop comprehensive waste management infrastructure in ODF Plus Villages.
• Technological innovations, such as low-cost waste treatment systems can address waste management challenges and ensure the continued use of sanitation facilities.
• Integrating SBM with other government programs like the Jal Jeevan Mission ensures access to water for sanitation, improving hygiene and usability of facilities.
• The welfare of sanitation workers must be prioritised through better working conditions, safety gear, and dignified environments.
• Strengthening local governance structures and strengthening partnerships with NGOs and corporations can ensure accountability and long-term success.
• Addressing sanitation challenges in urban areas, particularly in slums, requires targeted strategies, modernising waste management systems, and urgent attention to slum sanitation projects.

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Source:

Indian Express

Wikipedia

Webonlineca

National Center for Biotechnology Information