Bihar gets its first ODF Plus Model block with Ismailpur in Bhagalpur district declaring all its five panchayats as open defecation free (ODF) Plus in April 2023. This indicates that all the eight villages in the block have in place systems to manage solid and liquid waste, as per the guidelines issued under Phase II of Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G).
Bhagalpur district has earned 3 GI tags for Bhagalpur Silk, Katarni Rice, and Zardalu Mango. As for the Ismailpur Block which is situated 30 km northeast of the district headquarters, it is a flood-affected area with a low literacy rate. Nevertheless, all its eight villages were declared ODF in February 2019 under Phase I of SBM-G.
Under SBMG-II, a survey was conducted of all five panchayats, following which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared with the participation of the public. In the process, the district officials realised that government land was not available as in other blocks. Further, there was an urgent need for the community to be made aware of the importance of solid and liquid waste management to bring about visual cleanliness which would contribute to the health and well-being of all residents.
Background: According to former Block Development Officer, Mr. Anil Kumar the government’s solid and liquid waste management (SLWM) scheme started from the Gram Panchayat Paschmi Bhitha because the panchayat has its own identity. The famous novelist of the country, Mr. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, would sit on the banks of the river Ganges to write his novels. Further, the Ismailpur Kachari Tola has historical significance, given that it was established in this panchayat even before British rule. History has it that the British would collect ‘Lagaan’ or tax from the people from there. Even today, it is common for people to gather for various purposes at the block headquarters which is situated in this Panchayat.
Awareness and capacity building: The GP leaders were determined to keep the younger generation in the GP aware of the rich heritage they belonged to and at the same time build awareness of SLWM. With the support of the district administration, sanitation supervisors and workers at the ward and Gram Panchayat levels were selected, and together with all public representatives were trained by the District Coordinator, Mr. Nishant Ranjan.
Liquid waste management: Trainees were well aware of the disputes and diseases that arose owing to the overflow of wastewater onto the paths or stagnating in low-lying areas. So when liquid waste management was introduced to them, they agreed to the construction of soak pits which were constructed with funds from the 15th Finance Commission.
Solid waste management: To address solid waste management, two dustbins (green and blue), were distributed to households, and community dustbins were set up at public places. Garbage collection was started at each ward level using pedal rickshaws. Houses in this GP are located far apart and a route map was prepared in consultation with the community and a time was fixed for garbage pickup. The challenge in this process was that many households did not make an effort to segregate waste.
To tackle the problem, IEC activities such as sessions in schools and door-to-door IPC campaigns were held. Thereafter a segregation shed complete with different chambers was constructed on vacant land where the collected wet waste could be processed and dry waste (non-biodegradable) could be stored until it was appropriately disposed of. Under the supervision of experts, Nadep method of organic composting was started. Sanitation workers were apprised of the process and provided with sanitation kits for protection.
Similar SLWM works were commenced in the other 4 GPs on lines similar to that of Paschmi Bhitha GP. Although there were numerous challenges pertaining to land availability, encroachment issues, etc., all were finally resolved and the sheds were constructed, inaugurated, and inspected from time to time by the orders of the District Magistrate, Mr. Subrat Kumar Sen.
Faecal Sludge Management: Ismailpur bears the brunt of floods almost every year. When the block remains submerged for about a month. At such times, more often than not, both toilet pits are filled with flood water and become dysfunctional. The households often have to attend to repairs to make the toilets functional again.
Waste to wealth: Over the last few months, about 1500 kgs of solid waste were collected from households of the Ismailpur Block, of which about 1200 kgs were sold to scrap dealers. Moreover, about 200 kgs of organic compost were produced from the biodegradable waste. The GP has also earned Rs. 7000 from user charges and also from all other activities.
The Ismailpur Block is now pending ODF Plus verification and the model will be replicated in other villages of Bihar in due course so that more GPs can be transformed into model ODF Plus GPs.
Inputs: Nishant Adithi, Bhagalpur Coordinator
Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) 