SHILLONG: Seven villages in East Khasi Hills have set an example for the rest by achieving the open defecation free status which is a vital objective of the Clean India Campaign. Following resolutions adopted by the village standing committees, all toilets that allowed discharge into open drains and water sources were sealed to ensure proper disposal of excreta.
The villages of Lyngkyrdem in Pynursla Block, Madan Mawkhar in Mylliem Block, Madan Bitaw in Mawphlang Block, Nongjrong in Mawkynrew Block, Mawtepiew and Wahmawpat in Masynram Block and Mawkawir Ramdait in Shella Block achieved the open defecation free status under the Clean India Campaign.
District Coorinator, Swachh Bharat Mission, East Khasi Hills District, Mark West Kharkongor said that the villages achieved the open defecation free status by constructing safe “cat method” toilets for which they did not have to bear any expense.
The villagers are also opting for household soak pits to dispose waste water from kitchen and are turning to composting for domestic biodegradable wastes as part of the solid and liquid waste management practices of the villages.
Meanwhile workshops on community-led total sanitation (CLTS) programmes were also conducted in various places. The open defecation free (ODF) events were entirely organised by the village dorbars.
The events were presided over by district CLTS team in the presence of BDOs, PHE and health officials among others. ODF certificates were also handed over to the respective headmen by the BDOs.
The District Coorinator, Swachh Bharat Mission, said that steps are being taken to carry forward the agenda of Clean India by organising programmes and events throughout the district conducted at village and block levels.
The month-long campaign started on October 1 and will extend up to October 31.