Union Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation has adopted two villages in Uttarakhand which will be developed as model Ganga villages.
These villages are Veerpur Khurd in Dehradun and Mala in Pauri Garhwal. Both the villages are situated on the banks of the river Ganga. The Ministry is undertaking this project in collaboration with Global Interfaith WASH Alliance. Both the villages have already been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
The Ministry is working with the state governments to make the villages on the bank of river Ganga ODF.
Till now, 4,270 villages of 4,515 Ganga villages have been declared ODF. The two selected villages will be provided with solid and liquid waste management facilities, drainage systems, ground water recharge, modern crematoria in coordination with various Ministries involved.
In addition to this, medicinal herbs and shrubs will also be promoted in these two villages.
Speaking on the occasion of the adoption of the two villages, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Narendra Singh Tomar, said clean water is essential for life and cleanliness is essential for well being of people. He commended the role of women in achieving ODF status. He also assured commitment of the central government for this cause.
