THE INITIATIVE

• A cleaner rural India

THE BENEFICIARIES

• 1,000 households of Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu

THE CHALLENGE

• Open defecation leading to environmental hazards
• Lack of awareness of health hazards of open defecation
• Bathing and washing clothes in the open, resulting in wastage of water

THE SOLUTION

• NABARD sanctioned loan assistance under RIDF for construction of a sanitary complex
• Initiatives were taken by the panchayat to offer basic amenities, free of cost
• People were encouraged to use the facility

THE IMPACT

• A safe, clean place for people to attend to their daily ablutions
• Women have regained their privacy and dignity
• Waste properly collected in septic tanks, thus keeping the environment clean
• The sanitary complex serves needs of pilgrims to Theerthamalai
• A role model for other panchayats