MMPS aligns with ODF Plus programme in

Manam-Mana Parishubratha (MMPS), an Statewide programme that addresses issues pertaining to sanitation, safe drinking water and waste management has not only helped the communities to keep safe during the pandemic, but it has also perfectly aligned with the ongoing ODF Plus programme being implemented across the country as a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G) Phase II.

This is evident in Mamidivada village of Rambilli Mandal in of Andhra Pradesh where the fortnight long MMPS programme was held in December 2020. According to official data, the village secretariat staff and volunteers worked hard to prevent seasonal diseases and the spread of COVID by creating awareness on sanitation. The message was taken to every house and every street of the village that has a population of 1799.

Objectives of the ‘War on Waste for Wellbeing’ campaign:

• To redress the issues relating to sanitation, drinking water, waste management and other pressing matters instantly or within in a specified time. • To build the confidence among the people that government is keen to implement the MMPS and ODF Plus programmes and has selected Mamidivada Panchayat as a pilot project. • To encourage active participation of the community to contribute to hygiene and sanitation activities and thereby to visual cleanliness of the village.

Constitution of village level committee: A village level committee was formed comprising of active people from SHGs, and 10 members from every 500-600 households. They were trained to instantly deal with problems pertaining to sanitation and assigned duties as follows:

• Two members (SHG) for solid waste management activities • Two members for safe drinking water activities • Two members to look into IHHLs, CSCs and cleaning of drains. • Two members for SWPC operations • Two members for communicable diseases and health related activities

Setting up of Mobile Task Force Teams: A mobile task force team was set up at the outset, consisting of Extension Officer (PR&RD), overall in-charge AE(PR), AE(RWS), Digital Assistant, Engineering Assistant, Agricultural, Animal Husbandry Assistant/Horticulture Assistant/Fisheries Assistant of Mamidivada GP of Grama Sachivalayam, one bore mechanic, and one Green Ambassador. They were equipped with one tricycle, tools such as broomsticks, forks, spaces, crowbars, plumbing material, spare parts, etc. The district wanted the activity to be carried out on war footing, like organizing a festival.

IEC activities: At the entrance and exit to the village, signboards indicating the name of the campaign – Manam Mana Parishubrata, the name of the GP and Mandal were erected. Additionally, a banner was affixed on the GP vehicle listing the details of the programme and posters that portrayed best practices for drinking water, sanitation, and COVID-19. Similar posters and banners were set up at public spaces and at crossroads.

Meeting at Mandal Level: A meeting was convened at Mandal Praja Parishad Office on 24th July with all GP functionaries to apprise them on matters pertaining to MMPS and to generate awareness on the various components of the campaign. Thereafter, a meeting was held for village level committees on 25th July 2020 and they were assigned roles. Among their tasks was to identify individual and community needs regarding water, hygiene, sanitation, and health following a transact walk held on 27th July 2020.

Identification of problem areas: During the transact walk, committee members were asked to identify the most un-hygienic places in the village; water stagnation if any; unkempt bushes and jungles; mosquito breeding areas; leakages in drinking water pipelines; stagnation of drains, unattended garbage heaps, uncleared debris, dried trees and firewood obstructing road; IHHLs that needed repair and other pertinent issues.

Fee for households: Of the total 920 Panchayats in 34 Mandals of the District, 68 Panchayats were selected for the MMPS pilot project. Households in these villages were required to contribute Rs.2 per day (Rs.60 per month) which was deposited in bank accounts opened in the name of village volunteers and village elders. The funds were to be used to pay Green Ambassadors at the rate of Rs. 6000 per month and to pay for the purchase of sanitation equipment and vehicle maintenance.

Awareness building: The responsibility of creating awareness among the people on MMPS was handed over to the zonal authorities, selected village secretariat officers and volunteers. Secretariat officials helped raise awareness on sanitation issues as well as safe drinking water, importance of planting trees and environmental sanitation. Local authorities, panchayat secretaries and secretariat staff too organised awareness programmes to encourage people to be healthy and clean.

Duties of Green Ambassadors: The green ambassadors had the responsibility of collecting garbage that had been segregated by the households into wet and dry waste; in the tricycle. The wet waste was thereafter converted into vermi compost and sold to farmers to use in their fields. The plastic bottles and other non-biodegrable material had to be sorted out and sold to recyclers. The income generated from this was deposited into the MMPS account.

Outcome:

1. Drainage: Given the drainage problems in Mamidivada village, task force members unclogged and cleaned the drains after purchasing some equipment. Drains are in good working condition now. 2. Garbage Clearance: Previously, garbage was dumped in public places that caused a nuisance while posing health risks. The garbage is now being collected by the green ambassadors and decomposed in the SWPC shed.