People cleaning the Dzüvürü stream during the 'Save Dzüvürü' Campaign in Kohima on June 5. (Morung Photo by Chizokho Vero)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 5
The Kohima Village Students’ Union (KVSU) in an attempt to act upon their envisioned year theme ‘Clean Kohima’ today undertook the 'Save Dzüvürü' Campaign.
Several people joined the campaign by cleaning Dzüvürü stream, located around Mohonkhola.
This campaign was launched in the face of Kohima being deemed the second most unlivable city in India in the Ease of Living Index brought out by the Government of India last year.
Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) extended support along with many other representing bodies such as the core teams of the respective localities adjoining the said site (Tsiepfü Tsiepfhe/AG colony, New Ministers’ Hill, Old Ministers’ Hill, Dzüvürü/Porter lane, Upper Chandmari, Lower Chandmari), the colony Panchayats, various traders’ unions, Church youth, schools and colleges.
“Let us make Dzüvürü a much cleaner and safer river for all the residents,” said Rural Development Advisor, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire while launching the campaign.
He said that it is the responsibility of all the wards to see that Kohima is clean. He also urged all the ward chairmen and every resident to take responsibility to see that the streams are kept clean.
Stressing on the need to have behaviour change, Dr. Kire called upon each individual to make a concerted effort to make this river clean and free from dirt.
“If we all work together we can make Kohima beautiful again and revive the dying river,” he said.
KMC Administrator, Kovi Meyase said ‘we’ have waited too long to wake up to the fact that we are the ones who have to clean the mess created by us and also pointed out that the public has the habit of always blaming the government for what has been their own doing. He also emphasized on the need for behavioral change at individual level.
Stating that cleanliness drives should not be subjected to a one-day affair, Meyase said it should be a lifetime prerogative of every citizen to take this campaign with great vigour to make the city cleaner and more liveable.
Kohima Village Council (KVC) Chairman, Dr. Neiphi Kire expressed displeasure over the random disposal of garbage in the river. He recalled that in the past “we used to see small fishes in this river,” adding that people also used to collect wild vegetables and fresh water from this river.”
“Today will mark the first phase of our campaign, to be consequently followed by other related activities, which would include a consultative meeting with the colony leaders of the adjoining area and the Kohima Municipal Council,” said KVSU President, Kikrukhrielie Khezhie.
Swachh Bharat Mission brand ambassador, S. Supongmeren Jamir also spoke during the occasion.
