What is the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat campaign for villages?

It's a special campaign to make villages waste-free, sustainable, and clean, focusing on waste disposal and cleanliness.

Why are villages in Dakshina Kannada being directed to improve waste management?

Waste dumping and plastic burning are still visible in some places, despite many villages being ODF-plus.

What are the main responsibilities of Gram Panchayats in this campaign?

Panchayats must ensure functional toilets, manage solid/liquid waste, prevent open waste accumulation, and raise community awareness.

Home / Environment / Villages Get Cleanliness Mandate

Villages Get Cleanliness Mandate

30 Nov

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Summary

Villages directed to become waste-free and sustainable.
ODF-plus status achieved by most villages, but waste disposal remains an issue.
Panchayats must ensure functional toilets and effective waste management.

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat has issued a directive for gram panchayats across the district to launch a special campaign aimed at achieving "waste-free, sustainable, and clean" villages. This initiative comes as a response to the continued presence of waste dumping and open plastic burning in certain areas. Despite 322 out of 354 villages being declared open defecation free (ODF)-plus, the critical issue of scientific waste disposal remains unaddressed in some parts, leading to waste accumulation in open spaces and drains.

To address these challenges, ZP CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbari emphasized that while community cleanliness is a shared responsibility, Panchayats are tasked with fostering awareness and delivering quality services. They must ensure all households have functional toilets, alongside adequate facilities in public buildings. Crucially, arrangements for managing both solid and liquid waste are to be made, preventing any backlog of wastewater or trash in public areas. Communicating ODF compliance through visual means like pictures and graffiti is also encouraged.