From Our Correspondent
DADENGGRE, Oct 4: As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 Campaign, Raksamgre Village, under Tikrikilla Block in West Garo Hills district, has been officially declared an ‘ODF-Plus Model Village’.
The declaration follows the village’s remarkable community-led initiatives in meeting all the essential criteria under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) guidelines.
Raksamgre has sustained its open defecation-free (ODF) status, established effective systems for both liquid and solid waste management, and ensured visible cleanliness across all hamlets and public areas. The community has strictly prohibited the dumping of plastic in public spaces, discouraged the use of single-use plastics and promoted strict discipline to prevent littering and improper disposal of waste.
In addition to these feats, the village has been divided into five hamlets—Sundare Gittim, Green Valley Gittim, Songma Gittim, Saliram Gittim and Dabakgre Gittim—and has adopted a comprehensive five-year plan (2025-2029) to sustain cleanliness and strengthen green initiatives.
Weekly cleaning drives are organised every Saturday with the active participation of all households, alongside voluntary community contributions that reflect the spirit of people’s participation in rural development.
The plantation of Bauhinia acuminata (Me.gong) and other species has also been taken up to revive greenery and ensure environmental sustainability.
The declaration programme was attended by the District Coordinator, SBM-G, Block Coordinators of Selsella and Tikrikilla Blocks, Nikran A. Sangma, vice president of GBC-ABDK, Joyson R. Marak, lecturer of Tikrikilla College, as well as the Nokma, school teachers and community members.
Together, they iterated their collective commitment to sustain cleanliness, promote proper waste management and work towards a greener and healthier future.
Speaking on the occasion, the District Coordinator, SBM-G, lauded the initiative of the community, and said, “Raksamgre has set a remarkable example of what united community participation can achieve. This Model Village declaration is not just recognition of their present efforts but also a call to sustain and inspire neighbouring villages towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.”
