Implementation of Solid Waste Management Program by Saahas with the funding support from Rainmatter Foundation

Dear all,

Saahas is a non-governmental organization registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, of 1960. Saahas is primarily focuses on programs based on the concepts of ‘Source Segregation’ and ‘Decentralized Waste Management’ within the framework of Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. Since 2015. Presently Saahas is working in 12 states of India. Saahas has a membership position in the RURAL PARTNER WASH FORUM under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakthi. Saahas is also a member of the WASH Coalition established by UNICEF in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Karnataka State.

Saahas now collaborated with Rainmatter Foundation and started its intervention in Kalaburagi and Yadgiri districts on 1st September 2022. The 2 districts are from the Kalyana Karnataka region of Karnataka state. It is a scale project, at present for 18 months of time 8 Gram Panchayats (4 Gram Panchayats from each district) will be made as model Gram Panchayats in the implementation of the solid waste management program. The Gram Panchayat will act as a showcase model for other Gram Panchayats in the district. In the Remaining 18 months 50 Gram Panchayats will be covered under the program where the Gram Panchayat Officials, Elected members, and Sanitation staff will be trained on how to implement and sustain the Solid waste management program at Gram Panchayat Level.

Saahas has now partnered with Rainmatter Foundation and has started its intervention in the Kalaburagi and Yadgiri districts on September 1st, 2022.The team has planned a variety of activities to kick-start the waste management system in both districts (8 Gram Panchayats). The plan began with a high-level stakeholder meeting with Chief Executive Officers. Program Directors, Executive Officers, Panchayat Development Officers, the District SBM and NRLM consultant team, and the Panchayat presidents of respective GPs. The logo and project name were finalised - ‘PROJECT PARIPURNA’

The administration began with infrastructure development, while the Saahas team concentrated on IEC activities and capacity building. As part of this, the team conducted Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) activities to incorporate rural people’s knowledge, suggestions, and opinions into the planning and management of the project and related programmes. They used various tools such as transect walks, timelines, social and resource mapping. As a result of PRA, the team developed a collection route map that made collection movement simple and accessible to all households and businesses.

Capacity building sessions for Chief Executive Officers, Program Directors, Executive Officers, Panchayat Development Officers, and other Panchayat officials were held as a first step. Level 2 capacity building sessions were attended by ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, water men, as frontline informers of society. The GPs signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Gram Panchayat Level Federations (GPLFs) to ensure the smooth operation of SWM units and proper waste management in each GP. IEC materials such as A6 door stickers, flipcharts, leaflets, and so on were also provided, as well as register books and maintenance entry books for daily operational purposes.

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