Gujarat's Dang district, one of India's most densely tribal regions, has achieved near-universal adoption of twin-pit toilets, with 51,613 of its 58,966 households — nearly 95 per cent — now using the technology. The milestone has positioned Dang as a national reference point for faecal sludge management under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).

Scale of Achievement

Dang, characterised by dense forests, rolling hills and dispersed settlements across three talukas and 310 villages, has an estimated population of 2.96 lakh. Vipul Pardeshi, Coordinator of the Dang District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), described the adoption figures as a significant milestone in rural sanitation. 'Out of a total of 58,966 households, 51,613 have already adopted twin-pit toilets, accounting for nearly 95 per cent of all toilets in the district. This is a significant achievement in the field of faecal sludge management. All of this has been made possible through public participation. The government provides assistance of ₹12,000 to every household for constructing a twin-pit toilet,' he said.

National Recognition and Ministry Review

Dang's progress was spotlighted during a virtual review meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in January to evaluate faecal sludge management models across states and Union Territories. The meeting was chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, who examined sanitation initiatives with the potential for wider replication. Dang was presented as a standout example of large-scale twin-pit adoption in remote tribal regions. Patil said: 'Such sanitation models not only contribute to the vision of a cleaner India but also create employment opportunities through sustainable waste management.'

How Twin-Pit Toilets Work

Unlike conventional sewer-connected systems, twin-pit toilets treat waste at the household level. Human waste flows into one pit, where it decomposes naturally. Once the first pit fills, the flow is redirected to a second pit, allowing the contents of the first to break down fully into safe, nutrient-rich organic manure usable as fertiliser. The technology requires less water than conventional flush systems and eliminates the need for costly sewerage infrastructure — making it particularly suited to remote rural terrain.

Swachh Bharat Mission Context

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, initially targeted the elimination of open defecation in rural India. The programme has since broadened its focus to encompass sanitation infrastructure, public health, women's safety and behavioural change. Under the scheme, the government provides financial assistance of ₹12,000 per household for individual toilet construction, with twin-pit systems promoted as the preferred sustainable solution.

Why Dang Matters as a Model

The achievement is notable not only for its scale but for its context. Tribal districts with scattered settlements and difficult terrain have historically lagged on sanitation indicators, making community-driven adoption harder to achieve. Dang's success suggests that low-cost decentralised technology, backed by consistent government incentives and community participation, can overcome infrastructural barriers that stymie conventional approaches. Officials say the district's experience is being studied for potential replication across similarly remote tribal areas nationwide.