National Cleanliness Day: Persisting to Back the Government’s Swachh Bharat Mission

 New Delhi, Delhi, India

JICA commemorates National Cleanliness Day on January 30th 2020, by persisting to back the Government’s Swachh Bharat Mission.

The National Cleanliness Day is a nationwide programme which targets at enhancement and increasing consciousness on the necessity of cleanliness. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which has contributed in upkeeping of cleanliness via its schemes celebrated the National Cleanliness Day on January 30, 2020. Since 2014, annually on National Cleanliness Day is observed in an endeavour to maintain the hygiene and sanitation conditions. The sanitation coverage was simply 40% in 2014, which grew to 80% in 2018 with the endeavors of the Government of India. Although there is a great enhancement in the sanitation but there still remains a gap which requires to be tackled. From the previous 30 years, JICA has been closely functioning with the Government of India and backing India's water and sanitation segment via ODA loans, technical cooperation, and grants. The key program of Clean India Movement (Swachh Bharat Mission) commenced in 2014. To fortify its endeavors, JICA undertook the ‘Survey on Toilet 2015' so as to comprehend the causes for defecating in the open, and further worked on Consciousness programs to enlighten the general populace. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India observed, “Cleanliness is not just limited to building infrastructure, but is also aimed at bringing about behavioral change. Which is why the projects of JICA has an underlying component of educating the people, building awareness and encouraging maintenance of the projects. Thus, we have built avenues to educate the masses and bring about a change in their mindset.” JICA has sponsored a total of 25 water and sanitation schemes in India, disbursing ODA loans worth 752 billion Japanese Yen (nearly INR 44,300 Crore) In this regard, the JICA-sponsored Kolkata Solid Waste Management Improvement Project (KSWMIP) has improved public consciousness via street drama and lectures in school as it is essential to increase public Consciousness around SLWM practices, and its best to learn such practices, at a young age. The scheme targets at segregation of waste and has contributed in composting biodegradable waste at the compost plants and increasing more recycling. In the scheme, one of India's foremost sanitary landfill locations was constructed and steps are also in place to preserve ground water quality within 50m of the landfill site periphery. Apart from this, JICA has backed the Government of India’s endeavour in cleaning of river Yamuna under Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in addition to Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in Varanasi Presently ongoing YAP-II in Delhi would treat 950.7 MLD of waste water in Kondli, Rithala and Okhla area besides providing for sewage network. The aim of YAP and GAP schemes is to enhance water quality of the rivers, thereby increasing sewage treatment system capability with construction and rehabilitation of the sewerage system. Another such example is that of “Mottainai Grandma”, Japanese children picture book from Kodansha that has been locally published by National Book Trust (NBT) with the backing of JICA in India. Approximately 25,000 copies of book has already been printed. The book tries to guide children in respecting the resources and not to waste without good care and consideration. The word "Mottainai” means "what a waste" in Japanese and the book lays stress on 4Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect. JICA comprehends the necessity of instilling good practices of cleanliness and hygiene at a young age and thus teach the children thoughtful waste management. JICA in India is also backing Taisei Kougyou Co., Ltd., a Japanese organisation working towards waste water treatment expertise called Taisei Soil System (TSS) containing exclusive soil infiltration processing material “Tafgard”. The system has benefits in little to no discharge and electricity use, high treatment capability, low expense and effortless maintenance that is being exhibited in Uttar Pradesh for community toilet and school toilet. JICA is expediting installation of sustainable sewage treatment facilities for toilets via Taisei Kougyou Co., Ltd., thereby enhancing proper sanitation and hygiene best practices. About JICA Founded, by a particular law, as an independent administrative establishment under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) targets to contribute to the enhancement of international cooperation, as a sole Japanese governmental agency in control of ODA execution. JICA is the globe's leading bilateral donor agency. JICA functions as a link between Japan and emerging nations, and furnishes assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging nations can fortify their capabilities. By ANJISHNU BISWAS