Hi guys, Wahid Bhat… here! with another edition of our newsletter. Today, we’re discussing the 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan 2024, which started its 3rd quarter evaluation in July. Yes, this is the same survey that determines if our cities are clean enough.
The survey’s structure is interesting. It’s divided into four quarters. The first two quarters are focused on gathering citizen feedback via phone calls about city cleanliness. The third quarter will assess processing facilities, and the final quarter will involve field assessments.
Reportedly, some municipalities work efficiently during the Swachh Survey, but after the completion of the survey, the city is filled with filth again. The Swachh Survekshan, impressive as it is, isn’t continuous. It’s more like a snapshot in time. This raises a worrying possibility: some local bodies might pull out all the stops during the survey period, only to slack off once the spotlight moves on.
In another report, the tussle between Essel, the garbage collection company, and Jabalpur Municipal Corporation disrupted the city’s waste collection system. Jabalpur, ranked 13th in the 2023 survey, had 95% door-to-door garbage collection coverage in previous surveys. Read the story in detail here.
This story raises questions about the financial health of local urban bodies and the lack of a decentralised system to manage daily waste.
Let’s explore the structure and goals of the latest Swachh Survekshan and consider how we can work towards more sustainable cleanliness efforts across India.
Let’s talk numbers for a moment.
The survey has 9,500 marks up for grabs, and the distribution is quite telling of the government’s priorities. The lion’s share, or 60%, or 5,705 marks, are for “Service Level Progress,” which includes solid waste management (30%), sanitation and wastewater management (22%), and visible cleanliness (17%). New indicators include cleanliness in tourist spots and the presence of yellow spots in open urinals.
Swachh Survekshan, commissioned by the Ministry of Urban Development and carried out by the Quality Council of India, is an extensive sanitation survey across several hundred cities to check the progress and impact of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and to foster a spirit of competition among the cities. The performance of each city is evaluated on six parameters:
-
Municipal solid waste, sweeping, collection and transportation.
-
Municipal solid waste, processing, and disposal of solid waste.
-
Open defecation-free toilets.
-
Capacity building and eLearning.
-
Provision of public toilets and community toilets.
-
Information, education, communication, and behaviour change.
Next is certification, which accounts for 26% or 2,500 marks. It includes certifications for being open defecation-free (ODF) and achieving garbage-free city (GFC) status. Finally, 14%, or 1,295 marks, are for “Jan Andolan,” or the mass movement for cleanliness, reflecting the government’s recognition that true change requires population engagement and commitment.
As we read about these initiatives and reflect on the changes in our neighbourhoods, we—at least I—feel a mix of hope and concern. It’s heartening to see comprehensive efforts to clean up our cities.
Reclaiming landfills in Madhya Pradesh
There’s remarkable progress being made in reclaiming landfills in Madhya Pradesh, setting an inspiring example for the rest of the country. The state has successfully reclaimed an impressive 286 acres of landfill space, transforming what were once environmental hazards into usable community areas.
Cities like Datia and Morena are at the forefront of this transformation. In Datia, 24.7 acres have been reclaimed by remediating 1.48 lakh tonnes of waste, while Morena has cleared 2.56 lakh tonnes of waste, reclaiming 45 out of 54 acres. The state has 168 dumpsites, collectively holding about 63 lakh tonnes of legacy waste.
As we await the Swachh Survekshan 2024 results, it’s essential to remember that real change starts with us. The government can create frameworks, conduct surveys, and provide incentives, but our daily habits and choices will determine the Swachh Bharat Mission’s success.
What can we do in our homes and neighbourhoods? Start by segregating your waste at home— it’s easier than you think! Look into rainwater harvesting; even a small setup can make a big difference. Reuse grey water for plants or cleaning. Spread awareness in your community. Sometimes, a conversation sparks change.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you noticed changes in your city since the Swachh Bharat Mission began? Do you have any water-saving tips to share? Perhaps you’ve implemented innovative waste management solutions in your home or community. Let’s keep this conversation going!
Podcast of this week: Mind Your Earth
With Parveen Shaikh, a conservationist
Listen to this episode of “Mind Your Earth,” where conservationist Parveen Shaikh discusses Indian Skimmer conservation and the fascinating river legends of Chambal. Tune in as we explore ways to influence policy beyond activism and discuss the future of air quality in India and around the world.
More stories of ours
-
Lindur village’s land sinks, study says warmer soil speeds up crisis
-
Natural disaster or human-made crisis: What’s really behind Assam’s worsening floods?
-
Meet Subhajit Mukherjee, who has invented a unique way of rainwater harvesting
-
Greenery is necessary in 30% of the areas of colleges affiliated to DAVV Indore
-
Meet Subhajit Mukherjee, who has invented a unique way of rainwater harvesting
That’s all for today’s. If you found these stories interesting and want to stay updated, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow the Ground Report for Environment and Under-Reported Issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Write to us at GReport2018@gmail.com.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story. Until next time, this is Wahid Bhat signing off! That is for today See you next week and make sure to share your feedback with us and share this newsletter with your friends.
