Syllabus
GS Paper 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Swachh Bharat Mission
– Rural development
– WASH schemes
Context
India’s sanitation efforts have garnered global attention, but translating infrastructure gains into sustained behavioural change poses ongoing challenges.
Source
The Hindu | Editorial dated 6th February 2024
A critical view of the ‘sanitation miracle’ in rural India
In the past decade, India has made significant strides in improving sanitation coverage, aligning with Goal 6 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2019 and has since transitioned to ODF Plus goals. Despite substantial progress, challenges remain in ensuring sustained behavioural change and addressing gaps in sanitation infrastructure.
Evolution of Sanitation Programs
- Initiatives like the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) in 1986
- Total Sanitation Campaign in 1999 marked a shift from a high subsidy regime to a low subsidy one and a demand-driven.
- SBM-G aimed to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by 2019 and has transitioned to ODF Plus goals to transform India from open defecation free to open defecation free-plus status by 2024-25.
Swachh Bharat Mission
- The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), also known as the Clean India Mission, is a nationwide campaign in India that aims to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management.
- It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014, on the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), launched in 2014, aimed to make all rural areas in India open defecation free (ODF) by October 2, 2019.
- Encouraged by the achievements under the SBM, the government launched Phase II of the SBM-G. The focus here was on the sustainability of initial achievements by promoting solid and liquid waste management and covering those households left out earlier. The government aims to transform India from ODF to ODF Plus by 2024-25.
Sanitation Data an achievement of SBM
- Over 10 crore individual household toilets were constructed.
- Sanitation coverage improved from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019, but usage remains a challenge.
- Over 78% of villages in India declared ODF Plus.
- National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS)- Round-3 (2019-20), conducted by the Ministry, shows that 95% of the rural population had toilet access in India. Access to owned, shared, and public toilets was available to 79%, 14% and 1% of households, respectively. It was also reported that 96% of toilets were functional, and almost all had access to water
- Significant increase in waste collection and processing in urban areas
- Improved public health and hygiene
- Increased awareness of the importance of sanitation
Implementation roadblocks
Various surveys highlight reasons for non-usage, including, Infrastructure issues, social norms, and lack of access to water.
Infrastructural Bottlenecks:
- A National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey (69th round), showed that in 2012, when 59% of rural households had no access to a toilet, 4% of individuals who had access reported not using the facility.
- The primary reasons for not using one were: not having any superstructure (21%); the facility malfunctioning (22%); the facility being unhygienic/unclean (20%), and personal reasons (23%).
- Households with larger sizes face challenges in toilet usage. Overcrowding and social norms prevent all household members from using the same toilet.
- Inadequate Sewage Systems: Many rural areas lack proper sewage infrastructure to manage toilet waste, leading to environmental contamination.
- Poor Toilet Quality: In some cases, constructed toilets are of poor quality or lack proper water supply, discouraging usage.
- Phase II of the programme does not have any criteria mandating multiple toilets for households larger than a certain size. Neither does it have any provision for building an attached bathroom.
- Solid Waste Management Issues: Limited landfill capacity, inadequate waste processing facilities, and insufficient waste collection coverage pose challenges.
Social Norms:
- Social networks and caste hierarchies influence sanitation decisions.
- Caste Discrimination: Socially disadvantaged groups might face discrimination in accessing toilets or sanitation facilities.
- Upper caste-dominated villages show different sanitation network characteristics compared to lower caste-dominated areas.
- Sanitation behaviour also varies across socio-economic classes. NARSS-3 finds that access to toilets was highest for upper castes (97%) and lowest for Scheduled Castes (95%).
- Gender Inequality: Women often bear the brunt of sanitation management tasks.
- Sanitation behaviour also varies across socio-economic classes.
- Caste Discrimination: Socially disadvantaged groups might face discrimination in accessing toilets or sanitation facilities.
Lack of Synergy and Coordination:
- Despite significant investments, programs lack coordination, leading to inefficient resource utilization.
Way Ahead
Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach, including:
- Intensified community engagement and behaviour change campaigns.
- Investment in infrastructure development and improvement.
- Capacity building and training for sanitation workers and communities.
- Integration of social equity considerations in program design and implementation.
Collective behavioural change depends on improvements in living standards and better coordination among programs addressing basic needs.
Conclusion
India’s sanitation journey reflects significant achievements, yet challenges persist in ensuring sustained behavioural change and addressing infrastructure gaps. The need for targeted interventions, including multiple toilets for larger households and addressing social norms, remains crucial for achieving ODF Plus goals and improving overall public health.
RELATED TOPICS
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, also known as “Clean Water and Sanitation,” aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. It’s one of the 17 SDGs adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2015.
Objectives of SDG 6:
- Universal access to safe and affordable drinking water.
- Adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene: This involves access to proper toilets and hygiene facilities, promoting good hygiene practices, and eliminating open defecation.
- Improved water quality: This focuses on reducing water pollution from various sources like industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated wastewater.
- Sustainable water management: This aims to conserve water resources and manage them efficiently to meet the needs of present and future generations.
References
https://swachhbharatmission.gov.in/#:~:text=About%20SBM,a%20tribute%20to%20Mahatma%20Gandhi.
https://www.who.int/india/news/detail/27-07-2018-health-gains-from-the-swachh-bharat-initiative
Practice Question
Critically analyze India’s sanitation programs, highlighting the achievements and challenges in achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. [150 words]