Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign Launch date, Activities and Way Forward

The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign, celebrated annually from September 15th to October 2nd, has once again taken center stage in 2023. This initiative, jointly organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), aims to create a mass movement for cleanliness and sanitation through community participation. It also serves as a prelude to Swachh Bharat Diwas on October 2nd, with participation from all corners of India.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign

The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign, jointly led by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is being celebrated from September 15th to October 2nd. It aims to enhance cleanliness in local communities through voluntary efforts and prioritize the welfare of SafaiMitras. Ministries and Departments will actively participate in cleanliness drives, spanning government offices, public areas, heritage sites, and riverfronts in both rural and urban regions. This nationwide initiative underscores the importance of collective responsibility, fostering a spirit of unity and commitment to creating a cleaner and healthier India.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign Launch Date

The SHS campaign will kick off on September 15th with a virtual launch ceremony featuring the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti and the Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs. This launch will set the tone for a month-long effort to promote cleanliness, unity, and community participation.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign Theme

The theme of SHS-2023 is ‘Garbage Free India,’ with a special focus on visual cleanliness and the welfare of SafaiMitras, the unsung heroes who keep our surroundings clean. Just like in previous years, voluntarism and shramdaan, or voluntary labor, are at the heart of this cleanliness drive.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign Targeted Areas

The core of the campaign centers on improving cleanliness in high-footfall public places. This includes bus stands, railway stations, cantonment boards, beaches, tourist destinations, zoos, national parks, sanctuaries, historical monuments, heritage sites, riverfronts, ghats, drains, and nallahs, encompassing both rural and urban areas within each state and union territory.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign Activities

From September 15th, 2023, to October 2nd, 2023, the following activities are proposed at the state, district, and block levels:

Garbage Removal

Comprehensive cleaning efforts will be made to remove garbage from critical areas, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene.

Sanitation Asset Enhancement

Repair, painting, cleaning, and branding of sanitation assets like litter bins, public toilets, dhalaos (waste collection points), waste transport vehicles, and Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) will be undertaken.

Riverbank Cleanup

Active participation is expected in riverbank cleaning drives and waste removal, with a particular focus on Ganga Grams and Ganga Towns, aimed at safeguarding water bodies from plastic pollution.

Wildlife Conservation

Collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will include cleaning zoos, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and the regulation of plastic materials to prevent littering.

Tourist Spot Cleanliness

Cleanliness drives will be conducted at tourist spots and ASI protected monuments. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives will discourage the use of single-use plastic items while promoting proper waste disposal practices.

Cantonment Board Areas

Cleanliness drives will extend to cantonment board areas, with concurrent IEC campaigns promoting alternatives to single-use plastic (SUP).

School Awareness

Schools will participate in cleanliness drives and awareness activities, educating children on waste segregation, the journey of waste, waste-to-wealth concepts, and alternatives to SUP. Where feasible, Sanitation Clubs may be established in schools and colleges.

Railway Assets Cleanup

Under the ‘Har Patri Saaf Sutri’ campaign, all railway assets, including tracks, stations, colonies, and hospitals, will undergo cleaning.

Special Programs and Cultural Events

Various special programs and cultural events will be organized to celebrate the nation’s sanitation journey, fostering a sense of community participation.

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign role of states

Promoting Community Mobilization

States must encourage and facilitate community engagement, fostering a ‘Jan Andolan’ or people’s movement to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages. This involves rallying the local population to actively participate in sanitation efforts.

Emphasizing Sanitation as a Collective Responsibility

States should reinforce the idea that ‘Sanitation is everyone’s business.’ This means instilling the understanding that maintaining cleanliness and proper sanitation is a shared duty that extends to all members of society.

Celebrating Swachh Bharat Diwas Locally

States are tasked with organizing commemorative events for Swachh Bharat Diwas on October 2nd at the village level. These events serve as a reminder of the importance of cleanliness and sanitation, celebrating the progress made in this area and encouraging ongoing efforts.

Indian Swachhata League 2.0

This initiative is geared towards mobilizing large-scale youth groups to actively embrace and take lasting responsibility for cleanliness and hygiene in areas like beaches, hills, and tourist destinations. The Swachhata League serves as a catalyst, inspiring young individuals within cities to proactively contribute to the vision of creating garbage-free urban areas, aligning with the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivir

Cities across India will host these unique camps, known as Shivirs, with the primary aim of enhancing the well-being and overall quality of life of sanitation workers and their families. These Shivirs intend to ensure comprehensive coverage of welfare schemes designed for sanitation workers engaged in Solid Waste Management (SWM) and Used Water Management (UWM). The key activities include raising mass awareness, providing preventive health check-ups, conducting yoga sessions, and facilitating access to various welfare benefits from central and state schemes, in collaboration with multiple ministries.

Way Forward

Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 offers a chance to propel India towards a cleaner future. Key strategies include intensified community engagement, leveraging technology for monitoring, and involving youth extensively. Ensuring the welfare of sanitation workers and reducing single-use plastic usage are vital priorities. Robust impact assessments, public-private partnerships, and behavior change campaigns will drive success. Celebrating achievements and fostering a cultural shift towards cleanliness will be integral to long-term progress. By implementing these strategies, India can move closer to its vision of a cleaner and more sustainable nation, leaving a legacy of improved sanitation and environmental responsibility.

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