DMC on mission mode to beautify Dimapur’s cityscape
Ketholeno Neihu
Dimapur | May 15
Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) is on a mission to make the main city area “dustbin and dumping free zone” by the end of this year. As a start, it has transformed the garbage site outside the Ramakrishna Mission centre in Duncan Bosti into a space of marvelous art. A nine feet iron tree structure surrounded by finely painted walls now stands at the once filthy place teeming with flies.
This mission is undertaken under ‘A Better Dimapur’, an initiative of DMC launched in June last year to instill allegiance for a cleaner, greener, and healthy Dimapur with community participation.
Talking to The Morung Express, Moatemsu Sangtam, DMC Administrator stated that four of major dumping sites around the city have been closed down. They were located in Duncan Bosti, Supply colony, Notun Bosti LRC junction, and Hill View colony. Noting that more than 80-100 tonnes of wastes is generated in a day around the city alone, he added, “Incessant dumping of wastes in these areas has been tapped and duly closed down.” DMC plans to close down 15 to 20 of such places and convert them into waiting sheds, flower beds and other art projects. Also, other projects for public utility will be undertaken in future. Interestingly, the projects funded by DMC will also be given charge to the colony itself.
The iron sculpture
The iron sculpture outside the Ramakrishna Mission centre, which was posted on the ‘The Better Dimapur’ group on Facebook last week, is gaining popularity on social media. The Facebook post has not only garnered likes, comments and shares, but also appreciation for the endeavor. Themed transformation, the structure resembling tree was built from scrap metal keeping in view utilizing and reusing wastes. “The tree represents life,” said Moatemsu.
The design and structure of the iron sculpture is attributed to Mark Medom, an independent sculptor and a graduate from College of Art, New Delhi. The wall painting adjacent to the sculpture is themed around the 16 recognized Naga tribes in Nagaland representing unity. It was painted by Alex, an artist from Manipur based in Guwahati.
The whole project took around a month and half to complete.
‘The Better Dimapur’ project
Under the flagship program of the Swachh Bharat Mission, 12 mini trucks for wastes collection were given to the DMC last August.
Keeping in mind the huge number of recognized and unrecognized colonies in Dimapur, a Ward Sanitation Committee constituted in all the different wards was given charge to undertake door to door waste collection at the convenience of the public, Moatemsu informed.
Till date, it has not only proved as a good stratagem in segregating wastes, but also affirmation that Dimapur can become a dumping free zone, he said. For areas with vehicular space constraints, trailer bins are alternatively placed.
DMC in collaboration with PRO Rural has also organized a series of workshop on ‘Garbage to Gold’, an intensive training on household level composting cum distribution. ‘Cleanest Colony’ competition is another path breaking initiative of the DMC in tacking wastes, spreading awareness and instilling sense of responsibility.
Observing that solar energy is an important sector for environmental sustenance, the DMC will put up two solar panels within one month. Street solar lamps were announced this February to be given to interested colonies at subsidized rate, the DMC chief added.
The municipal council also looks forward to installing waste recycling plant for management of solid wastes with proper dumping site which is another strategy to reduce wastes and recycle it for judicious uses.
