CLOCC Releases Comprehensive Framework for "Eco Villages" in Tamil Nadu

Oda Korneliussen
5 days ago
2 min read

A new report by the Clean Oceans through Clean Communities (CLOCC) Programme outlines a strategic roadmap for transforming rural communities into self-sustaining, zero-waste ecosystems.

The Clean Oceans through Clean Communities (CLOCC) Programme, together with implementing partners Ambire, Hand in Hand India, and Hand in Hand Sweden, has officially released the "Eco Village Concept" report. This document presents a detailed framework for significantly improving waste management in the Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu, India.

Developed to align with the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and India’s Solid Waste Management Rules, the report offers a replicable model for creating "Eco Villages"—intentional communities designed to minimize environmental impact while fostering social and economic well-being.

A Vision for Zero-Waste Communities

Land-based waste mismanagement remains a primary contributor to marine plastic pollution. To address this, the CLOCC initiative—owned by Sirk Norge with ISWA as an implementing partner and funded by Norad—advocates for a shift from conventional disposal methods to a "towards zero-waste approach."

The Eco Village model is built on the Integrated Sustainable Waste Management (ISWM) framework. It seeks to replace practices such as open dumping and burning with systems that prioritize:

Source Segregation: Categorizing waste at the household level into biodegradable, recyclable, and hazardous streams.
Decentralized Treatment: Reducing dependency on external collection systems by processing organic waste locally through compost pits and biogas plants.
Circular Economy: Ensuring biodegradable waste is converted into resources and promoting reusable alternatives to plastics.

Pilot Implementation in Chengalpattu

The feasibility of this framework is currently being demonstrated in four pilot villages: Padur, Manivakkam, Vellaputhur, and Perumpairkandigai.

The report details customized interventions designed to address the specific challenges in these localities, where collection efficiency was historically low. Key on-the-ground actions include:

Infrastructure Upgrades: Distribution of green bins for wet waste and net bags for dry waste to households and shops to facilitate 100% collection coverage.
Decentralized Processing: The revitalization of non-operational compost facilities and the introduction of small-scale biogas plants, such as those planned for cow dung treatment in Vellaputhur.
Plastic Management Hubs: The establishment of "plastic banks" near high-traffic areas, such as the temple in Perumpairkandigai, to facilitate the recovery and recycling of dry waste.

Livelihoods and Community Ownership

Central to the Eco Village concept is the integration of economic empowerment with environmental sanitation. The framework highlights the role of "Green Enterprises," where waste management facilities are operated as micro-enterprises by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Gram Panchayats.

To support this, the initiative emphasizes capacity building, providing technical training to sanitary workers and SHGs on safe handling and scientific processing techniques. This approach not only ensures professional waste management but also promotes women-led entrepreneurship within the waste value chain.

A Roadmap for Scale

The report concludes with a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework, utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track metrics such as household segregation rates and volumes of compost produced.

Looking ahead, the roadmap suggests strengthening policy enforcement through Panchayati Raj Institutions, integrating technologies like smart waste monitoring, and exploring Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to secure long-term sustainability. By successfully implementing these local action plans, the Eco Village approach aims to serve as a national model for achieving ODF-Plus goals and rural carbon neutrality across India.

Read the full report here