National Conference on JJM and SBM-G Concludesat Lucknow, U.P.

New Delhi. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation had organised a National Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission -Grameen (G) on 16-17th February 2024 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Designed for ensuring ‘A Unified Approach Towards Sustainable Solutions in Rural WASH Sector,” this significant conference united diverse stakeholders from various States/UTs for dynamic exchange of ideas and best practices.The conference, focusing on key themes like Innovation, Collaboration, Sustainability, and O&M, became a pivotal platform for in-depth discussions on critical issues surrounding drinking water and sanitation in rural areas. Participants shared best practices, explored collaborative planning, and discussed innovative approaches to rural sanitation.

On the second day of the conference i.e. 17th February, the spotlight was on SBM-G program activities and achievements by States/UTs. The agenda was carefully crafted for interactive discussions, fruitful ideations and learning, that commenced with the welcome note from JointSecretary & Mission Director SBM-G, Shri Jitendra Srivastava. He said “even though, we have witnessed success in the toilet story of SBM-G, the way forward needs to look beyond saturation to include the aspect of engaging partners as allies and enabling participation of people which will aid in program sustainability. States/UTs need to identify ways to sustain the work done, by ensuring toilets are constructed, repaired, and used. The States/UTs which have witnessed a decline in access to toilets need to ensure fund convergence to set up a mechanism for call-based feedback in villages. He emphasized on the important role of officials across levels for regular review mechanisms that also facilitate gram sabhas that establish the importance of maintaining the ODF status”.

Thematic sessions on sustaining ODF status included compelling case studies and innovative best practices for LWM Planning in Himachal Pradesh and the Uttar Pradesh Toilet Story.Crucial sessions covering 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 were held. Each session featured firsthand accounts from the field, presenting best practices, achievements, challenges, and innovative and replicable idea from various states/UTs.

What set this conference apart was the detailed state presentations across all segments. These presentations offered a closer look at the initiatives and progress of each state allowing for discussions on replicability and sustainability. Kerala’s session on the PWM initiative through the Clean Kerala Company. Tamil Nadu’s experience of bituminous road constructed with the use of plastics under PMGSY.  CEE’s presentation that provided the scope of recycling and forward linkage in the current PWM space.

Madhya Pradesh’s sustainable business model for SWM and O&M through community engagement. Jharkhand’s pioneering effort in menstrual hygiene management. Andhra Pradesh presented on the resource management pilot. Haryana’s community soak pit and Telangana’s Barthan Bank presented under innovative technologies. Uttar Pradesh’s Sanitation Revolution, Bihar’s Toilet Clinic, Karnataka’s Sampooran Swachhata through PARIHARA and Swachh Sanivara and Mizoram’s effort showcasing how they made SBM a success through people’s movement were some of the state experiences shared under capacity building & IEC.

This engaging format fostered meaningful interaction among state representatives, allowing for a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes in each region. The conference provided an invaluable space for sharing experiences, enhancing collaborative efforts, and advancing rural WASH initiatives.