Nirmala Gram Yojana South Canara Is Model For Karnataka State Development As A Way Of Life

Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka is considered as a model for Nirmal Gram Yojana by Karnataka State Water and Sanitation Cell. Personal hygiene, home sanitation, safe water, garbage, waste water and excreta disposal are main themes of the Yojana. Four villages of South Canara district, Golta Majalu, Ira, Kashipatna and Panja are identified as the model villages.

In Golta Majalu village Panchayat, more than 100 latrines were constructed in a single day. Volunteers visit houses to convince the necessity of sanitation facilities. People, both men and women, participate in the construction of latrines. The village is an example for the effectiveness of the public partnership in the Governmental schemes.

In Ira village, Gram Panchayat Members directly participated in the construction of latrines for the houses in Koraga colony. This encouraged staff of Gram Panchayat members of SHG?s, members of local cricket team to join the construction work. This village has adopted the idea mooted by President Kalam to separate developmental works from politics. Here, members of BJP and Congress parties join hands in Yojana activities.

Members of Kinnigoli village panchayat have gone one step further. They are providing materials for the construction of latrines.

Seed Samples At Free Of Cost
Naagareeka Seva Trust of Guruvayanakere, has established four seed banks in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada of Karnataka. The bank operation is very simple. There is no money transaction. The farmer has to give the double the amount of seed he has taken or he has to lend the seed to another farmer. The seed bank is aimed at preserving regional seed varieties. Currently the bank has 78 types of rice seeds. According to Raghurama Prabhu, Joint director of Naagareeka Seva Trust, the banks could become an effective answer to the proposed seed bill which preserves the interests of multinational companies. Recently, the banks have also started preserving seeds of vegetables and nearly 58 seed variety could be seen with the bank. There are plans to start similar banks in Bantwal and in Puttur district.