Jal Shakti ministry launches 'Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu' campaign

New Delhi, Jun 1 (PTI) The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti on Monday launched the ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ (SGSJ) campaign.

In a post on X, Union minister C R Patil said that on the occasion of World Environment Day 2026, the SGSJ campaign and initiatives to raise public awareness about the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, were launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen through DDWS’s national-level information, education and communication (IEC) campaign.

“In line with the ‘Climate Action’ theme of World Environment Day 2026, this campaign, running from June 1 to June 5, focuses on strengthening sustainable solid waste management in rural areas under SBM(G) 2.0 while advancing

the spirit of Mission LiFE,” he said.

Patil said the campaign will promote the effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, enhance public awareness in rural areas and help villages move towards ODF Plus (Model) status.

The DDWS national IEC campaign is also aimed at creating awareness about various aspects of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, in rural areas, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders, he said.

Patil said meaningful interactions were held with sarpanches from Bhishmpur village in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, Attaval in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, Damarapatpar in Goalpara district of Assam and Nigve Dumala in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.

The sarpanches shared their experiences and initiatives related to solid waste management, public participation, the involvement of self-help groups, the elimination of single-use plastic, food waste management, and user charge systems, he said.

Patil said sarpanches can play a crucial role in the effective implementation of the SGSJ campaign and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, at the grassroots level.

He also stressed the need to focus on plastic waste management, conversion of single-pit toilets into twin-pit toilets, collection of user charges for waste management and maintenance of solid waste management assets in villages. PTI ADI NB NB