Government Figures Rank Sikkim in First Place With Regards to Sanitation and Drinking Water Coverage

New figures released by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation rank Sikkim in the first place in implementing the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, and providing 100 percent sanitation coverage to more than 610,000 inhabitants.

The state has also sensitized people to adopt a holistic approach in improving sanitation and hygiene to ensure overall development and a healthy environment in the state.

About Water Borne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are communicable diseases caused by diseases causing microorganisms in contaminated water. It is more prevalent during floods and in tsunami affected areas.

Sikkim has constructed 98043 individual household latrines against a target of 87014 IHHL Individual household latrines so far till February 2014, achieving 112.67 per cent of the target under the scheme.

About 61493 individual household latrines (IHHL) or 119.86 per cent has been constructed for BPL families against a target of 51302 IHHL.

About 36550 IHHL have been constructed for APL families, which is 102.35 per cent of the target.

Coconut Water - Health Benefits
Coconut water is nearest to a natural electrolyte supplement to the body. Coconut water health benefits range from weight loss to skin care.

A total of 1772 schools have been covered under sanitation programme as against a target of 1604 schools. About 1105 sanitary complexes have been constructed as against a target of 789 (140.05 per cent).

About 516 Anganwadi toilets were constructed in the state as against a target of 340 (151.76 per cent).

Coconut Water as a Skin Tonic
Coconut water is easily available and not too expensive with so many health benefits – that it is a win-win situation when you drink it or use it topically.

The state received Rs.3323.02 lakhs under the scheme out of which it utilized Rs.3296.28 lakh (99.20 per cent) till February 2014.

The state received Rs. 1515.23 lakh central share out of which Rs.1492.90 lakh (98.53 per cent) amount has been utilized.

Lemon Water / Lemon Juice - It�s Benefits
Lemon water or Lemon juice has several anticancer compounds, which help cancer patients. Benefits of lemon juice or lemon water include relieving nausea, heartburn and constipation.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling launched the community-led sanitation campaign in 1999. Full sanitation in 7,096 sq km area of the state, covering both rural and urban areas in all four districts, has since been achieved well before the target year of 2012.

So far, 163 pachayats have received Nirmal Gram Puruskars for developing sufficient sanitation facilities of adequate quality.

Former President Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the Nirmal Rajya Award on Sikkim Chief Minister Chamling on December 8, 2008 for successful implementation of a demand-driven and people-centered sanitation programme.

According to a total evaluation study conducted by Planning Commission, Sikkim was declared the best state in the country on the basis of best performing gram panchayats.

Source-ANI