Open Defecation Free (ODF) scheme was launched by PM Modi under Swatch Bharat Mission program by providing access to toilets to all rural households. Cooch Behar district in West Bengal has achieved the distinction of becoming the first ODF District in Northern Bengal. Now the district administration is working on becoming ODF plus.
The administration’s achievements were acknowledged by the Government of India and the district was bestowed with the Swatch Bharat Mission National Award 2020 followed by the Excellence in Governance Award for Swachhata category by Indian Express group.
All these achievements came in after the district worked extensively on five main pillars of this campaign under Mission Nirmal Cooch Behar.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Firstly, the scientific management of solid waste was promoted in rural areas as 16 Solid Waste Management Units were set up in different areas of Cooch Behar initially. It has now been expanded up to a total of 51 SWM Units covering the entire District. This makes the district one of the frontrunners in Solid waste management in the whole country.
While speaking with Indian Masterminds, District Collector Cooch Behar, Pawan Kadyan, IAS, said, “SWM Units facilitate collection of segregated waste, scientific processing of waste, recycling of the non-biodegradable waste and composting of biodegradable components. Rural women SHGs are mainly being engaged in the exercise, allowing them to explore an entirely new area for revenue generation.”
PLASTIC AND LIQUID WASTE
The second pillar where the district team worked rigorously on is plastic waste management as one recycling unit was set up in the district initially, the first one in the state. Now this has been expanded to five units – one unit per five sub-divisions. Mr Kadyan said, “The processed Plastic Waste will be used in construction of Rural Roads leading to economies of scale, cost reduction in infrastructure works and as well scientific waste management.”
Moving ahead of the ODF category, the district is now working on becoming OFS plus district. A large number of soak pits & covered drains have been constructed in different rural areas after thorough assessment for liquid waste management.
The officer said, “Various crowded and public locations have been covered in this process. Grey Water Management as well in convergence with Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and 15th Finance Commission Grants is the area we are focussing.”
More than 1400 community sanitary complexes have been constructed during 2020-2022, the highest in similar-sized district, all in congested and rural bazaars, to maintain cleanliness. Civil Society Organizations have been engaged in construction of these Units.
MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT
To bridge the gap of menstrual hygiene in rural areas, a novel initiative of production of low-cost sanitary pads branded as “Bandhavi” (meaning a girl’s friend) through SHGs has been undertaken. Along with this, ambassadors have been created among school going girls and rural women to usher in behavioural change and awareness generation in rural areas, for advocating use of sanitary pads and promotion of menstrual hygiene. The SHG produced “Bandhavi” Pads have been distributed in schools, colleges, etc. along with a lesson in scientific disposal of the used Pads.
