Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil Launches ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ Campaign
Nationwide Drive Focuses on Waste Management, Climate Action and Community Participation
- Jal Shakti Minister launches ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ campaign
- Five-day nationwide initiative to run from June 1 to June 5
- National IEC campaign on Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 also unveiled
- Campaign to culminate with Special Gram Sabhas and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd June: Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil on Monday launched the nationwide ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ (SGSJ) campaign and a National Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to create awareness about the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026.
The campaign, organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, will be conducted from June 1 to June 5 as part of World Environment Day 2026 activities.
The initiative aims to promote environmental protection, behavioural change and sustainable practices in rural areas while strengthening awareness about the newly implemented Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which came into effect on April 1 this year.
Speaking at the launch event, Patil said the campaign would further strengthen public participation in cleanliness and environmental conservation efforts across the country.
He highlighted the achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), noting that more than five lakh villages have declared themselves ODF Plus (Model), while nearly 12 crore toilets have been constructed in rural India over the past decade.
The minister said SBM(G) 2.0 is promoting scientific waste management, greywater management, circular economy practices and ‘Waste to Wealth’ initiatives in villages.
Under the campaign, Gram Panchayats will undertake awareness drives on waste segregation, management of legacy waste, environmental sustainability and Mission LiFE themes. Communities will also be encouraged to ensure proper operation and maintenance of sanitation assets and reinforce commitments towards achieving ODF Plus (Model) status.
The campaign will culminate on June 5 with Special Gram Sabhas and the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive across villages.
Simultaneously, the Ministry launched a national IEC campaign to simplify and disseminate key provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 among States, Union Territories, district administrations, rural local bodies, institutions, households and bulk waste generators.
The awareness initiative aims to translate the rules into citizen-friendly messages to promote compliance, behavioural change and community participation in waste management.
During the event, Patil interacted virtually with sarpanches from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Assam and Uttar Pradesh, who shared their experiences in implementing sanitation and waste management initiatives under SBM(G) 2.0.
The minister stressed the importance of effective solid and liquid waste management and urged local bodies to ensure that untreated wastewater does not enter rivers and other water bodies.
Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ashok K.K. Meena said the focus during the final year of SBM(G) 2.0 would remain on achieving saturation of ODF Plus (Model) villages, maintaining cleanliness standards and ensuring functionality of sanitation infrastructure.
Officials said the campaign is expected to strengthen awareness on climate action, sustainable living and solid waste management while deepening community participation in achieving the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) 2.0 and Mission LiFE.
