Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBM) is changing the age old behaviors in various innovative ways. Udaipur district being hilly and tribal regions is one of the most challenging districts in Rajasthan when it comes to changing the mindsets.

With dynamic leadership of Udaipur district collector Rohit Gupta and CEO Zilla Parishad Avichal Chaturvedi, and support from local elected representatives, civil societies and other international agencies as of March 2017 out of 544 Gram Panchayat in the district already 141 are declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).

In changing the mindsets various innovative ways are designed and one such supported by Wells for India (UK) and its Partner NGOs – Hanmuam Van Vikas Samiti (HVVS) is planting sacred Peepal tree in and around places where people openly defecate.

Today on the occasion of ‘Dasha Mata Poojan’, where women in the area worship the Peepal tree and tales (Katha), which is believed to bring prosperity to the family of the devotee. Peepal tree is worshipped due to belief that Goddess Dasha Mata resides in the tree itself.

Using this auspicious occasion, more than 50 Peepal Tree are planted in different places of 3 Gram Panchayat villages of Kurabad block of the district. During plantation these women self help group members also took oath not to go for open defecation and construct toilets within a few months in all houses of Gram Panchayat.

Wells for India, Country Director O. P. Sharma said “Last year also during the same occasion more than 70 Peepal trees were planted on the places where people openly defecating”. This resulted in construction of more than 400 toilets in 3 Gram Panchayats of Kurabad block. Those women who planted the trees last year and were openly defecating are now having toilets in their houses”.

According to Bhambri Bai of Chota Guda village of Bhalo ka Guda Gram Panchayat who is 52 years old “this is a very encouraging way to stop people not to openly defecate and also inspire them to construct toilets at their home. We planted these trees last year and today we are worshipping one of this. I constructed the toilet in my house 5 months ago and called every woman to do so in my village and stop open defecation. I am very happy to have my own toilet now”.