The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation orchestrated a National Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission -Grameen (G) from 16-17th February 2024 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Crafted to ensure ‘A Unified Approach Towards Sustainable Solutions in Rural WASH Sector,’ this significant gathering brought together diverse stakeholders from various States/UTs for a dynamic exchange of ideas and best practices. The conference, centered on key themes like Innovation, Collaboration, Sustainability, and O&M, evolved into a pivotal platform for in-depth discussions on critical issues related to drinking water and sanitation in rural areas. Participants not only shared best practices but also delved into collaborative planning and explored innovative approaches to rural sanitation.
On the second day of the conference, February 17th, the focus turned to SBM-G program activities and achievements by States/UTs. The agenda, carefully curated for interactive discussions and fruitful ideations, began with a welcome note from Joint Secretary & Mission Director SBM-G, Shri Jitendra Srivastava. He emphasized the need to move beyond saturation in the success story of SBM-G, highlighting the importance of engaging partners and enabling people’s participation for program sustainability. States/UTs were urged to identify ways to sustain the work done, including the construction, repair, and use of toilets. States/UTs facing a decline in toilet access were encouraged to ensure fund convergence and establish a mechanism for call-based feedback in villages. Shri Jitendra Srivastava underscored the crucial role of officials at various levels in regular review mechanisms, emphasizing gram sabhas for maintaining the ODF status.
Thematic sessions addressing ODF status included compelling case studies and innovative best practices, such as LWM Planning in Himachal Pradesh and the Uttar Pradesh Toilet Story. Crucial sessions covered Faecal Sludge Management, Grey Water Management, Digitization, Innovative Practices in Liquid Waste Management (LWM), Plastic Waste Management (PWM), Solid Waste Management (SWM), Menstrual Waste Management, and Innovative Technologies. Each session featured firsthand accounts from the field, presenting best practices, achievements, challenges, and innovative and replicable ideas from various states/UTs.
What set this conference apart was the detailed state presentations across all segments, offering an intimate look at the initiatives and progress of each state, fostering discussions on replicability and sustainability. Notable state experiences shared under capacity building & IEC included Kerala’s PWM initiative through the Clean Kerala Company, Tamil Nadu’s experience of bituminous road construction with the use of plastics under PMGSY, and Madhya Pradesh’s sustainable business model for SWM and O&M through community engagement.
Other highlights included Jharkhand’s pioneering effort in menstrual hygiene management, Andhra Pradesh’s resource management pilot, Haryana’s community soak pit, and Telangana’s Barthan Bank presenting innovative technologies. State experiences shared under capacity building & IEC included Uttar Pradesh’s Sanitation Revolution, Bihar’s Toilet Clinic, Karnataka’s Sampooran Swachhata through PARIHARA and Swachh Sanivara, and Mizoram’s success in making SBM a people’s movement.
This engaging format facilitated meaningful interaction among state representatives, providing a deeper understanding of challenges and successes in each region. The conference served as an invaluable space for sharing experiences, enhancing collaborative efforts, and advancing rural WASH initiatives.
