Cleanliness drives rolled out in 40 more villages
LUCKNOW: The state capital is set to witness a mass movement aimed at making its villages open defecation free (ODF). After the successful transformation of Mujasa (in Malihabad) and Raipur (in Mal Block) into ODF villages, the administration has announced its intention of transformation 40 more villages in the district.
Officers said that the transformation exercise would make Lucknow the first in the state to have the maximum numbers of ODF villages. “It’s a mass movement, aimed at bringing cleanliness to the villages,” said Prashant Sharma, chief development officer (CDO), while addressing a meeting that was attended by officials of various government departments.
In May this year, Mujasa, and later Raipur, were transformed into ODF villages. This success bolstered the morale of the administration and 40 more villages were picked up for the cleanliness drive. Sharma said, “Under the drive, the administration has picked up five villages from all the eight blocks. A team of 40 officials, including volunteers from NGOs ‘WaterAid’ and ‘Vatsalya’, has been constituted. They are playing a crucial role in the drive along with officers from other departments.”
Initially, the team will pay a visit to the villages concerned. The movement will be rolled out by holding nukkad nataks, workshops and awareness programmes. “The idea is to spread awareness among masses and to educate them on the ill-effects of defecating in the open. Our team will tell them how unhygienic the practice is and how it pollutes the environment, posing health hazards for them and their families,” added Sharma. This will be followed by the formation of ‘nigrani samiti’ – a committee consisting of locals that will prevent villagers from defecating in the open.
“The samiti will keep a watch and will use several ways to help villagers change their habit of defecating in the open,” he informed.
At the same time, officials will ensure construction of toilets in these areas.
The administration has picked up five villages from all the eight blocks. A team of 40 officials, including volunteers from NGOs - ‘WaterAid’ and ‘Vatsalya’ - has been constituted. PRASHANT SHARMA, CDO