NEW DELHI-The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil launched the ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ / स्वच्छ गांव, सुरक्षित जलवायु (SGSJ) campaign and the National level IEC Campaign for awareness on Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 at the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, in New Delhi today. The launch, organized in hybrid mode, was attended by Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena; Joint Secretary & Mission Director, SBM(G), Ms. Aishvarya Singh and officials of DDWS. Senior officers from States/UTs including Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, State Mission Directors, SBM(G) and selected Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats joined the launch virtually.The Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu is a DDWS campaign for World Environment Day 2026 launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The campaign will be implemented from 1st June – 5th June and is preceded by a pre implementation phase from 25th May- 29th, 2026.
The campaign will focus on awareness generation regarding the themes of Mission Life, behaviour change and environmental protection. Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) 2.0 supports the vision of Mission Life through its focus on 4Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) of Plastic Waste Management, 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recharge) of Greywater Management, promotion of circular economy and Waste to Wealth while aiming to convert villages to ODF Plus (Model). Another focus of the ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ campaign is awareness generation and sensitization for Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 which have come into effect from 1st April 2026.
In this context, the ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ campaign aims to:
- Sensitize stakeholders in rural areas on SWM Rules 2026, including identification of Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs), four-stream source segregation, and management of legacy waste
- Facilitate self-assessment and validation by Gram Panchayats of the functionality of community SWM assets
- Generate awareness on Mission LiFE themes and promote sustainable practices
- Mobilize communities to ensure cleanliness, proper operation & maintenance of assets, and reaffirm commitment towards Sampoorna Swachhata and ODF Plus (Model) villages
The campaign will include structured activities and will culminate with “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” plantation drive and a Special Gram Sabha on 5th June 2026, where achievements of the campaign and awareness on SWM Rules 2026 will be discussed by all Gram Panchayat
The National IEC Campaign of DDWS for awareness on SWM Rules, 2026 will focus on simplifying the key provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 for States/UTs, District administration, rural local bodies, households, institutions, Bulk Waste Generators and other stakeholders involved in implementation in rural areas. The campaign will break down the SWM Rules 2026 into simple, citizen-friendly messages to support awareness, behaviour change and compliance at the community level.
As part of the launch event, the Union Minister also interacted with Sarpanches from Gram Panchayats of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Assam and Uttar Pradesh, who shared their experiences from the ground, interventions undertaken under SBM(G) 2.0, work being done with SHGs for waste management including plastic waste management and their efforts to involve all stakeholders for Swachhata related activities.
The sarpanches also briefed the Union Minister on activities being planned under the SGSJ campaign in their GPs. During his interaction with the Sarpanches, the Union Minister also stressed on ensuring proper waste management, including greywater management and ensuring that wastewater does not enter water bodies and rivers.
The Union Minister further interacted with the State SBM(G) Mission Directors of Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, on various aspects related to the SGSJ campaigns, progress achieved under SBM(G) 2.0 and the efforts of the State in implementation of the SWM Rules, 2026.
The Union Minister, Shri C R Patil in his guiding remarks lauded the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)[SBM(G)]. He highlighted that more than 5 lakh villages have successfully declared themselves ODF Plus (Model). He mentioned that this milestone builds on the monumental foundation of Gandhiji’s Swachh Bharat vision, which was taken further and has achieved significant milestones under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in the last 12 years.
He noted that SBM(G) has seen the construction of nearly 12 crore toilets in rural areas and has transformed sanitation habits across the country. He mentioned that ‘Swachh Gaon, Surakshit Jalvayu’ campaign being organized by DDWS for World Environment Day 2026 and the National level IEC campaign for Solid Waste Management Rules are both important initiatives that will further strengthen jan bhagidari and environment conservation.
The Union Minister mentioned that SBM(G)2.0 promotes effective and scientific management of waste reduction in greywater management and ‘Waste to Wealth’ initiatives. Mentioning that solid waste management is an integral part of SBM(G) 2.0, he urged citizens to make waste segregation and environmental conservation a part of their behavior and lifestyle. Reiterating the various activities like Special Gram Sabha, cleanliness drive and “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, plantation, verification of the community SWM assets, the Union Minister urged all States/UTs, Gram Panchayats, youth, SHGs and various other stakeholders to participate whole heartedly in the SGSJ campaign. He further mentioned that the national level IEC campaign of DDWS for awareness on SWM Rules 2026 will also aid in their effective implementation.
In his opening remarks, Secretary, DDWS, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena underscored that SBM(G) 2.0 is in its last year, and the focus must remain on saturation of villages as ODF Plus (Model), visual cleanliness, functionality of assets and regular monitoring of SBM(G) and Jal Jeevan Mission through DWSMs. He emphasized that Gram Panchayats have always been central to taking the mission to the ground and their role will remain critical in sustaining outcomes and ensuring compliance with the SWM Rules, 2026. He requested that all local activities must be duly reported to DDWS so that progress can be duly captured at the National level and duly reported on Mission Life as applicable.
Prior to this, Ms. Aishvarya Singh, JS&MD, SBM(G), highlighted the importance of SGSJ campaign, being launched by DDWS, its linkage with Mission Life and Solid Waste Management Rules 2026. She stated that the SGSJ campaign has been designed with specific activities for each of the five days which should be conducted across all States/UTs. She further mentioned that the SWM Rules 2026 and the various Orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court on this matter provide detailed directions for implementation of the Rules. She further mentioned that SWM Rules 2026 provide a clear framework for action, responsibility matrix and monitoring of implementation in rural areas. She mentioned that the national level IEC campaign for SWM Rules 2026 that has been designed by DDWS also aims to simplify the various provisions of the Rules and make the same readily accessible for all States/UTs.
The campaign is expected to strengthen awareness on themes of Mission Life, ‘Climate Action’ and SWM Rules. It will also encourage and enhance Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata supporting the larger vision of SBM(G) 2.0 and help in ensuring sustainability of outcomes under the programme.
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