In News: Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) scheme was first announced in Budget 2018
About Gobar Dhan Yojana
- Under Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation
- The main aim of Gobar Dhan Yojana is to make farmers self-reliant apart from converting waste to energy.
- This scheme will help in managing and reuse cattle dung and thus makes the nation “Open Defecation Free”.
- The important features and highlights of this scheme are as follows:-
- Central govt. has launched Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (Gobar Dhan) Scheme to promote the management of cattle dung and reusing it.
- Subsequently, this scheme will contribute towards “Swachh Bharat Mission” and help in making India ODF Free.
- In addition to this, Gobar Dhan scheme will improve the life of people living in rural areas.
- Moreover, farmers can utilize this solid waste & cow dung in their farms and reuse it as compost, fertilizer, biogas and also as biofuel.
- Central govt. has also identified 115 districts where the government will make investment in various social services and develop them as role models.
Objectives of Gobardhan Scheme
- The main objectives of the Gobardhan Scheme is to increase rural income, rural jobs and to keep villages clean through solid waste management.
- Accordingly, Gobar Dhan Scheme 2020 aims to positively impact the Gram Panchayats with 3Es, which are as follows:-
- Energy : Self-reliance with respect to energy through utilisation of agricultural and animal waste to generate bio-energy through biogas plants.
- Empowerment : Engaging rural people, especially women self-help groups in construction, management and day to day operations of biogas plants.
- Employment : Generating jobs among the rural youth and women through collection of waste, transportation to treatment plants, management of treatment plants, sale and distribution of bio-gas generated etc.
- The scheme is intended to manage and convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to compost, bio-slurry, bio-gas and bio-CNG.
- This initiative shall support biodegradable waste recovery and conversion of waste into resources.
Swachh Bharat Mission
- SBM is intended at accelerating the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage.
- It aims at achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) nation and a Swachh Bharat (Clean India) by 2nd Oct, 2019, the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- SBM is being implemented by the Ministry of Urban Development in Urban areas and by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Rural areas.
Objectives
- Elimination of open defecation
- Eradication of Manual Scavenging
- Modern and Scientific Municipal Solid Waste Management
- To effect behavioral change regarding healthy sanitation practices
- Generate awareness about sanitation and its linkage with public health
- Capacity Augmentation for ULB‘s
- Creating an enabling environment for private sector participation.
Components
- Household toilets, including conversion of insanitary latrines into pour-flush latrines;
- Community toilets
- Public toilets
- Solid waste management
- Public Awareness and IEC
Implementation
- Behaviour change is the primary focus and fundamental tool for achievement of ODF outcomes.
- This is carried out through the Ministry’s focused Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programme.
- It also promotes gender sensitive information, behaviour change guidelines and various mass education activities.
Funding
- States will contribute a minimum of 25% funds towards all components to match 75% Central Share.
- This will be 10% in the case of North East and special category States.
Source: Indian Express and PIB
