When you think of a clean and green place, what comes to mind? A high-tech city with modern waste management systems? A well-maintained urban park? Surprisingly, some of the cleanest and most sustainable places in India are not found in big cities but in its villages. These small communities have embraced a way of life that prioritizes cleanliness, sustainability, and harmony with nature.
From banning plastic to implementing eco-friendly farming, these villages have proved that transformation doesn’t require grand policies—it begins at home, with collective community efforts. Here’s how five remarkable villages are setting new benchmarks in cleanliness and environmental consciousness.
1. Mawlynnong, Meghalaya: Asia’s Cleanest Village
Tucked near the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border, Mawlynnong has earned the title of Asia’s cleanest village. But cleanliness here is not just a rule; it is a deeply ingrained way of life, backed by a remarkable literacy rate of 93.71%.
How They Did It:
- Plastic-free mindset: Mawlynnong strictly enforces a plastic ban. Instead of allowing waste to accumulate, the villagers repurpose materials in creative, sustainable ways.
- Daily cleaning habit: Every villager actively takes responsibility for keeping their surroundings spotless, sweeping their pathways regularly.
- Sustainable construction: Houses and public spaces are built using local materials, reducing the village’s carbon footprint.
- Improved sanitation: Public and private toilets have been installed throughout the village, ensuring hygiene and eliminating open defecation.
2. Baghuwar, Madhya Pradesh: A Self-Sustained Model of Cleanliness
Situated in Madhya Pradesh’s Narsinghpur district, Baghuwar is a shining example of a self-sustaining clean village. The villagers don’t just discuss cleanliness; they live it.
How They Achieved It:
- Early adoption of sanitation: Baghuwar became open defecation-free (ODF) in 2007, years before the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan made it a national priority.
- Community involvement: Every resident plays a role in keeping the village clean, from sweeping the streets to managing waste.
- Water conservation: The village has invested in rainwater harvesting and water recycling, significantly improving groundwater levels and local climate conditions.
3. Sishunu, Nagaland: A Tobacco and Plastic-Free Haven
Sishunu in Nagaland is not just clean; it is also tobacco-free and plastic-free. This transformation was driven by community determination and funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
How They Achieved It:
- Tobacco ban: A strict prohibition on tobacco sale and consumption is enforced across schools, offices, and public spaces, monitored by a dedicated Tobacco Control Committee.
- Plastic waste management: The village council actively ensures minimal plastic usage, even repurposing plastic waste for road construction.
- Strict anti-littering policies: Waste segregation is mandatory, and fines are imposed on those who fail to comply.
- Sustainable farming: The village cultivates fruits like kiwi, bananas, oranges, and pomegranates using organic farming methods.
4. Thuruthikkara, Kerala: Kerala’s First Certified Green Village
Located in the Ernakulam district, Thuruthikkara has set the gold standard for sustainability, thanks to the Oorja Nirmala Haritha Gramam project.
How They Achieved It:
- Community education: All 349 families in the village were educated on environmental issues and sustainability practices.
- Advanced waste management: The village embraced a plastic-free, e-waste-free, and filament-free policy, supported by biogas plants, solar cookers, and LED lighting.
- Institutional support: The transformation was driven by local organizations like the Haritha Keralam Mission and Energy Management Centre Kerala, providing the necessary technical expertise and resources.
5. Majuli, Assam: Living in Harmony with Nature
Majuli, a picturesque island in Assam’s Jorhat district, is not only breathtaking but also a leader in eco-friendly living.
How They Achieved It:
- Bamboo architecture: Homes are built using bamboo, a renewable and sustainable material that minimizes environmental impact.
- Community-driven cleanliness: Residents actively participate in cleaning efforts, ensuring their surroundings remain pristine.
- Sustainable lifestyle: Following the indigenous philosophy of ‘Donyi Polo,’ which emphasizes the interconnection between humans and nature, Majuli’s residents practice responsible farming and resource management.
Lessons for India’s Urban Areas
These villages have demonstrated that sustainable living isn’t just about policies or government initiatives; it is about people making conscious choices every day. Their success stories serve as blueprints for cities and towns looking to build cleaner, greener environments. They did not wait for change—they became the change. When cleanliness and environmental care become a way of life, transformation follows.