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The Minister said the main aim of the projects is to improve the health and quality of life of around 45,000 households located in these 78 villages of the Ganga River basin in Jharkhand through improved sanitation practices, while also improving the quality of waste water and storm water runoff flowing from the villages into the river Ganga. Sushri Bharti said 78 units will be established in project villages for collection, storage and composting of degradable solid waste and for setting up small enterprises for non-biodegradable material. She informed that 5,460 households will be supported for adoption of composting facilities using vermin composting for productive use of animal and agro-waste and 1,860 households will be supported for adoption of biogas plants to facilitate safe disposal of animal waste. The Minister said that eight village level crematoriums and 32 bathing Ghats will be constructed along with 40 community toilets. She said that more than 10,000 soak pits will be constructed through community participation to safely contain and dispose surplus and waste water emerging from households and community managed hand pumps. The Minister informed that community-led construction of 152,000 meters of open channel drains in project villages to ensure speedy and safe disposal of domestic waste and storm water runoff and construction and refurbishment of 92 community ponds to enable bio-treatment and safe disposal of domestic waste and storm water runoff will also be taken up. .
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The entire project will be carried out under the overall guidance of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation with the support from UNDP, community organizations and NGOs. Project initiatives will contribute to improved, sustainable solid and liquid waste management in the identified villages and will reduce contamination in the Ganga from rural sources including agriculture. UNDP will provide technical and implementation support. .
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Samir/jk