Sikkim achieves 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Status
Sikkim, a beautiful Himalayan state, has been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Model State by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. All 403 villages of Sikkim met the ODF Plus Model criteria ahead of their original goal of October 2, 2023.
The 100% success achieved by Sikkim shows its commitment to proper sanitation and effective waste management. The Rural Development secretary, D. Anandan, expressed happiness about Sikkim becoming the first ODF Plus Model State in India. He praised the dedication of officials, staff, and local village councils, as well as the public’s role in separating waste at its source.
Sikkim transitioned from eradicating open defecation to focusing on waste management in two phases of the Swachh Bharat Mission. SBM Phase I aimed to eliminate open defecation, and Sikkim became the first state to achieve this in 2016.
After the success of Phase I, SBM Phase II began on March 4, 2020. This phase not only to focused on the open defecation-free status but also to manage waste effectively, improve visual cleanliness, and upgrade SBM villages from ODF to ODF Plus.
The state has effectively managed waste by composting biodegradable waste at households and handling liquid waste. The use of single-use plastics has been banned leading to significant reduction in plastic usage. Proper disposal methods for leftover plastic waste are also in place.
According to the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Sikkim has 356 sheds for waste collection and segregation, 309 community soak pits, 331 community compost pits, 3 plastic waste management units, 614 community sanitary complexes, and 16,275 individual household toilets.
One of the key factors in this achievement was campaigns to change people’s behavior. The state conducted campaigns to raise awareness about proper sanitation and waste separation. These campaigns played a big role in making people change their habits and support the efforts.
The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, mentioned on July 6, 2023, that India will become completely Open Defecation Free (ODF) in the next five years. The main focus is to provide proper sanitation facilities in all villages. Currently, India has achieved 40% ODF status since 2019.
The northeastern states, including Assam, have made significant progress in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Assam’s progress under JJM has increased from just one percent to an impressive 54 percent.
