Swachh Bharat Mission

Syllabus
GS Paper II – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context
October 2, 2024, commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission’s launch.

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Swachh Bharat Mission

Introduction

On October 2, 2024, India celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission, a nationwide cleanliness initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. This mission, aimed at eradicating open defecation and promoting sanitation, has significantly transformed the country’s hygiene landscape. Over the past decade, it has mobilized millions of citizens, constructed over 10 crore toilets, and declared numerous villages and cities open defecation-free. As we commemorate this milestone, it is essential to reflect on the mission’s achievements and the ongoing efforts to sustain and enhance India’s sanitation standards.

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Recognized as the world’s largest movement for behavioural change, targeting the eradication of open defecation through awareness, education, and infrastructure enhancement.
• Inception: Initiated on October 2, 2014.
• Phase I Duration: Spanned from 2014 to 2019.
• Objective: Aimed to achieve a Clean India by 2019.
• WASH Issues: Tackles Water, Sanitation, and Health (WASH) concerns.
  • Open Defecation: Aims to eliminate this practice.
  • Sanitary Facilities: Focuses on upgrading unsanitary toilets.
  • Manual Scavenging: Strives to eradicate this practice.
  • Waste Management: Enhances solid waste management systems.
  • Sanitation Awareness: Promotes behavioural change towards sanitation.
• Scope: Encompasses both rural and urban regions.
• SBM Gramin (SBM G): Managed by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
• SBM Urban (SBM U): Overseen by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Implementation: Entirely governed and monitored by state agencies.
• Innovative Approach: Integrates toilet construction with significant investments in Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and community involvement.
• Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) Scheme: Offers financial aid to eligible households for toilet construction.
• Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS): Emphasizes community participation and behavioural change, encouraging collective action to end open defecation.
• IEC Campaign: Strongly focuses on IEC activities to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation, hygiene practices, and toilet usage.

Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II, spanning from 2019 to 2025, continues the momentum of its predecessor with renewed goals. On October 1, 2021, SBM Urban 2.0 was launched, aiming to achieve Garbage Free Status for all cities. Concurrently, SBM Gramin 2.0 was introduced to elevate villages from Open Defecation Free (ODF) status to the ODF Plus Model, ensuring comprehensive sanitation and hygiene improvements across rural areas.

Achievements

Achievements of SBM Phase I

• Open Defecation Free (ODF) Status: India was declared “Open Defecation Free” in 2019.
• Toilet Construction: Over 12 crore toilets have been constructed since the inception of SBM.
• Toilet Access: Household access to toilets increased to over 82% in 2019-21, up from 45% in 2004-05.
• ODF Plus Villages: Currently, 93% of villages have achieved ODF Plus status.
• Waste Management: 78% of waste is now processed.
• Reduced Mortality Rates: Enhanced sanitation facilities have significantly reduced infant and child mortality rates.
  • Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Districts with over 30% toilet coverage saw a reduction of 5.3 per thousand live births.
  • Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR): These districts also experienced a reduction of 6.8 per thousand live births.
• Public Movement: The mission has become a massive public movement, thanks to the efforts of sanitation workers, religious leaders, athletes, celebrities, NGOs, and the general public.
• Environmental Improvement: There has been a notable reduction in groundwater contamination and landscape improvement in areas previously affected by open defecation.
• Women Safety: With better access to sanitation facilities, 93% of women reported feeling safer at home.

Achievements of SBM Phase II

• SBM Urban 2.0: Launched on October 1, 2021, with the goal of achieving Garbage Free Status for all cities.
• SBM Gramin 2.0: Aims to elevate villages from ODF status to the ODF Plus Model, ensuring comprehensive sanitation and hygiene improvements.
• Enhanced Waste Management: Continued focus on processing and managing waste effectively.
• Sustained Public Engagement: Ongoing efforts to involve communities and maintain the momentum of the public movement.
• Improved Sanitation Infrastructure: Continued construction and upgrading of sanitation facilities in both urban and rural areas.
• Behavioral Change: Persistent emphasis on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities to promote sanitation and hygiene practices.
• Community Participation: Strengthened community-led initiatives to sustain and enhance sanitation standards.

Benefits of Swachh Bharat Mission

• Improved Public Health: The mission has significantly reduced the incidence of waterborne diseases by promoting better sanitation practices and eliminating open defecation. This has led to a decrease in infant and child mortality rates.
• Enhanced Environmental Quality: By reducing open defecation and improving waste management, SBM has contributed to cleaner surroundings, reduced groundwater contamination, and improved overall environmental health.
• Economic Gains: The construction of toilets and improved sanitation infrastructure has created numerous jobs, boosting the local economy. Additionally, healthier populations contribute to increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs.
• Empowerment of Women: Access to proper sanitation facilities has enhanced the safety and dignity of women, reducing the risk of harassment and health issues. This empowerment has also led to increased school attendance among girls.
• Behavioral Change: The mission has successfully instilled a sense of responsibility and awareness about hygiene and sanitation among citizens through extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns.
• Community Participation: SBM has fostered a sense of community ownership and participation, encouraging collective action towards maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. This has strengthened social cohesion and civic responsibility.
• Sustainable Development: The mission aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), by ensuring access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

Government initiatives that strengthen Swachh Bharat Mission

• AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation): Focuses on enhancing urban infrastructure, including water supply, sewerage, and urban transport, indirectly supporting SBM’s cleanliness goals.
• Namami Gange Programme: Aims to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga River, addressing pollution and promoting sustainable sanitation practices along its banks.
• Gobardhan Yojana: Encourages converting cattle dung and other organic waste into biogas and compost, promoting waste-to-energy solutions and supporting rural sanitation.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): Works towards effective pollution abatement and conservation of the Ganga River, enhancing overall sanitation and cleanliness efforts.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): Includes provisions for constructing toilets in newly built houses, ensuring sanitation facilities are integrated into housing development.
• Jal Jeevan Mission: Aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections, complementing sanitation efforts by ensuring a clean water supply.
• Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016: Provides a framework for managing solid waste in urban and rural areas, promoting segregation, recycling, and scientific disposal of waste.

Swachh Bharat Awards

• Swachh Survekshan Awards: These awards recognize the cleanest cities, towns, and states in India. For instance, in 2023, Surat and Indore were jointly awarded the title of “Cleanest City”. Other categories include Cleanest Cantonment, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and Best Performing State.
• Swachh Bharat Diwas Awards: Presented on October 2nd each year, these awards honor the best performers in cleanliness initiatives, including sanitation workers, community leaders, and state champions.

Challenges

• Continuing Open Defecation: Despite a reduction, 11% of the population still engaged in open defecation in 2022, predominantly in rural regions.
• Rural-Urban Disparity: Urban areas have 95.6% toilet access, whereas rural areas lag behind at 76%.
• Caste and Waste Management: Sanitation and waste management practices in India are still heavily influenced by caste, with traditional caste roles persisting despite efforts to change them.
• Manual Scavenging: Only 66% of districts in the country have eradicated manual scavenging.
• Quality and Maintenance Issues: Poor quality of toilets and inadequate water infrastructure discourage consistent use of the facilities.
• Inequality: SBM facilities are less accessible in slums and marginalized communities compared to more developed urban areas.
• Waste Treatment: In rural areas, toilet construction is not linked to waste treatment, and in peri-urban areas, faecal sludge is often discharged untreated into the environment.
• Financial Constraints: Village panchayats lack sufficient funds to acquire road sweeping machines and additional vehicles for waste transport.
• Budget Cuts: SBM Urban faced a significant budget reduction in the Revised Estimates for 2023-24, with a cut of approximately 49% from the Budget Estimates.

Way forward

• District, Block, Village, and Local Cleanliness Initiatives: Implement cleanliness programs at various administrative levels.
• Bio Toilets Promotion: Advocate for bio toilets to eliminate manual scavenging and increase funding for the rehabilitation of affected individuals.
• Capacity Building: Enhance the administrative and technical skills of local governments to effectively implement the mission’s diverse goals.
• Technological Advancements in Waste Management: Integrate advanced technological solutions for managing solid waste from its generation to disposal.
• Waste-to-Energy and Biological Methanation: Promote the use of waste-to-energy plants and biological methanation processes at local and regional levels.

Conclusion

As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2024, it is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey and achievements of this transformative initiative. Over the past decade, the mission has not only improved sanitation and hygiene across India but also fostered a sense of civic responsibility and community participation. The significant strides made in reducing open defecation, enhancing waste management, and promoting public health underscore the mission’s impact. As we look forward, it is crucial to sustain these efforts and continue working towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable India for future generations.

References: TH | IE | PIB

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The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. [UPSC CSE – 2022 Mains]

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Practice Question

Critically analyze the impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission over the past decade. Discuss its achievements, challenges, and the way forward for sustaining cleanliness and sanitation in India. (250 words)

Guidelines to Answer

1. Introduction:
   • Briefly introduce the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched on October 2, 2014, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
   • Mention the primary objectives of the mission: eliminating open defecation and improving solid waste management.
2. Achievements:
   • Highlight key milestones, such as the construction of over 100 million toilets and the declaration of over 6 lakh villages as Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2019.
   • Discuss the impact on public health, including the reduction in diseases like diarrhea and malnutrition.
   • Mention the global recognition and praise from organizations like the WHO for contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
3. Challenges:
   • Address ongoing issues such as the maintenance of toilets, behavioral change, and the need for continuous public engagement.
   • Discuss the challenges in urban areas, including waste segregation, recycling, and the management of landfill sites.
   • Highlight the disparities in sanitation facilities between urban and rural areas.
4. Way Forward:
   • Suggest measures to sustain the achievements of SBM, such as regular monitoring, community participation, and the use of technology for waste management.
   • Emphasize the importance of education and awareness campaigns to ensure behavioral change.
   • Propose the integration of SBM with other government schemes like AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission for holistic urban development.
5. Conclusion:
   • Summarize the overall impact of SBM and reiterate its significance in improving the quality of life and health of millions of Indians.
   • End with a forward-looking statement on the need for continued efforts and innovations to achieve a cleaner and healthier India.

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