Rural Sanitation Initiatives for Ganga Rejuvenation launched in Jharkhand

The Union Government has launched nine projects initiatives for rural sanitation initiatives for conservation of river Ganga in Jharkhand.
It was launched by Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti under Namami Gange Programme in Sahibganj, Jharkhand.
Key facts

• Under this programme, villages located on the entire 83 Km. stretch of Ganga River in Jharkhand will be covered to improve the health and quality of life.
• It will be carried out under the overall guidance of the Ministry with the support from UN Development Programme (UNDP), community organizations and NGOs.
• The programme initiatives will contribute to improved, sustainable liquid and solid waste management in the identified 78 villages along the Ganga River.
• It will also reduce contamination in the Ganga River from rural sources including agriculture. UNDP will provide technical assistance.
• Eight village-level crematoriums, 32 bathing ghats and 40 community toilets will be constructed under the Programme.
• This programme will focus on three significant interventions (i) Promotion of safe, individual hygiene practices to ensure open defecation free status of all villages along the river.
• (ii) Promotion of cost-effective, appropriate local, easy to manage technologies to ensure improved access and maintenance of infrastructure created for effective management of liquid and solid waste.
• (iii) Strengthening of local institutions including village level sanitation committees, panchayats, and self-help groups (SHGs) to manage, maintain and , enhance facilities established for improved sanitation in the villages and also integrated and a holistic livelihood approach.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2016