A Micro Level Study of Water Pollution in Kohima

A Case Study of Polluted Water Streams flowing down from New Ministers Hill-Mohonkola- Dzüvürü-Chandmari - AG

Kelezonü Mekro,
Sazolie College, Jotsoma  

INTRODUCTION:  

According to Wikipedia, “Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water. In almost all cases the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to the natural biological communities.”

 Water Pollution is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. Polluted water also led to the spread of some common and dangerous infectious diseases like Diarrhoea, jaundice, gastro and fever etc.    

This micro-level studies study attempt to explore the pollution of water bodies especially running streams within Kohima city. Thus, a 5.2 km running streams from New Minister’s Hill- Mohonkhola- Dzüvürü- Chandmari till AG is taken for intensive case study. Kohima, the capital of Nagaland lies in the southern part of Nagaland covering an area of 3114 sq.km. with a population of 3,65,017 as per 2011 census and rapidly increasing.    

It is observed that water pollution in Kohima is not cause by major industries but through domestic waste that are dumped into the convenient “nullahs”. It is estimated that 75 to 80% of water pollution by volume is caused by domestic sewage within Kohima    

The main reason for water quality deterioration is due to the various human activities. The dumping of the waste on the drainage system which clogs the water from flowing and as a result it becomes stagnant and a breeding site for mosquitoes which poses threat to the health of the people living around it. Many cases have been reported by people living around it taking medical aid due to various health issues such as allergy, malaria, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc.   

During monsoons, the rain water washes the dirt’s from the garbage’s and toxic fluids gathers which gradually seeps into the soil or enter the local water sources through leakage or poor maintenance of water pipe lines etc.    

Due to poor drainage, rain water floods the roads and takes along with the garbage and dirt’s from the roads, which furthers deteriorates the quality of water and as a result it becomes more hazardous to the people living around. The poor drainage system further damage the roads giving a chance to the automobiles to discharge oils and toxic chemicals where the water get contaminated and get easy access to the ground water through potholes as they seep through it and enter the ground water system.    

Kohima is blessed with the presence of small water streams and water bodies travelling along different wards/colonies in the town. However, water quality and quantity is a cause of concern rather than pride.    

The water is getting polluted due to:

• Mixing of untreated domestic sewage
• Disposal of non-biodegradable waste from home, markets etc
• Biomedical Sewage
• Agrochemicals used in the field
• Other sources like Hotels, Restaurants, etc.

    EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION:  

1. Human Health

We all drink water that comes from a source: this may be a lake or local river. In developed countries, even where there are better purification methods, people still suffer from the health effects of water pollution. Take toxins emitted by algae growth for instance: this can cause stomach aches and rashes. Excess nitrogen in drinking water also poses serious risks to infants.    

2. Ecosystems

Nutrient pollution from upstream (creeks and streams) often flow downhill and even travel miles into other larger water bodies. The effect is that, it breeds algae growth and causes the growth of many more water organism. This algae attack affects fish and other aquatic animals by absorbing and reducing their oxygen supply. Algae growth also clogs fish gills. Naturally, the order of ecosystems in that water is affected negatively, as the destruction or introduction of any foreign organism alter the entire food chain in there.    

3. Disruption of food-chains

Pollution disrupts the natural food chain as well. Pollutants such as lead and cadmium are eaten by tiny animals. Later, these animals are consumed by fish and shellfish, and the food chain continues to be disrupted at all higher levels. Example of food chain  little fishes eat organic particles  Big fishes eat tiny fishes  Humans also eat fish.    

4. Death of animals  

Animals, including water animals die when water is poisoned for various reasons. Other animals are stressed and their populations are endangered. Immediate impact on the wildlife includes oil-coated birds and sea turtles, mammal ingestion of oil, and dead or dying deep sea coral. Animals are also affected by solid waste thrown into water bodies, as they harm them in many ways      

RECOMMENDATIONS:   Following are some of the measures which can be practiced so that the drainage system in our city can be improved further controlling Water Pollution.  

1. The first major step in having a better drainage system in our city is to realise the fact that “Drains are not dumpsites” and so we should not resort to throwing plastic and garbage to the drains. This can only be done by creating mass awareness regarding the use of plastics and the damages it pose to the environment.
2. A city requires an integrated network of drainage system and not just individual drains at various points. Therefore, it is important that a detailed study and scientific plan is done to drain out surface runoff during rainy season.
3. We should give enough space for the water to flow easily, so that encroaching the drainage areas should be avoided.
4. If the surface water is allowed to flow without being stagnant, it has the ability to purify itself naturally in the long process with the bacteria’s and oxygen acting on it.
5. Surface treatment may be done to improve the water quality of the rivers.
6. The concerned departments who take care of the waste in our city should carry on their duty diligently so that when it rains, it will not carry the wastes to the drainage system.
7. Every person should take upon them the responsibility to do their part in improving the conditions of the drainage instead of merely depending on the municipal council to take care of it or pointing fingers at them.
8. We can also put into practice the Polluter Pay Principle as directed by the National Environment Policy 2006, where the polluter is identified and they are made to pay for the damage done to the environment.
9. Direct discharge of human waste to the drains should be prohibited.
10. Measures and steps should be taken by individuals, civil societies and Government agencies to reduce polluting the water streams within the Kohima City.

In can be objectively stated that increased in developmental activities due to urbanization are greatly responsible for water pollution in Kohima city. There are many causes of water pollution such as sewage disposal, excess use of agrochemicals in the field, discharge of industrial effluents without treatment, disposal of urban solid waste, agricultural runoffs etc. Which in the process has been creating some serious public health issues within the city, Kohima may be considered as one of the most developed cities in the state where thousands of people comes seeking for employment, education and business. In the recent years, Private sector in Kohima is also growing rapidly. Interestingly, the city is also characterized as a famous tourist destination where plenty of tourist both National and international visits it throughout the year, one may also say that Kohima has been a city of many happenings.    

However, the city is faced with many challenges that need to be taken into account if Kohima is to continue as the image of the state. 

One challenge is the rapid growth of population due to educational facilities, employment as well as other services. Today and probably in the future, due to the rapid growth in population; urbanization and public health issues will be a great challenge before the planners, administrators and politicians. The river as a drinking source is becoming polluted and is not enough to stop the pollution and reduce the damage on public health. Therefore, there is a need to wake up and be prepared to tackle the growing issue of water pollution to promote public health.    

Life is ultimately about choices—and so is pollution. We can live with sewage-strewn drainage, dead rivers, or we can work together to keep the environment clean so the plants, animals and people who depend on it remain healthy. We can take individual action to help reduce water pollution, for example, by using environmentally friendly detergents, not pouring oil down drains, reducing pesticides, and so on. We can take community action too, by helping out on cleaning drainage or litter picks to keep our rivers and drainage little bit cleaner. And we can take action as state and nations to pass laws that will make pollution harder and make the world less polluted. Working together, we can make pollution less of a problem—and the world a better place.    

SOONER OR LATER, WE WILL HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE EARTH HAS RIGHTS, TOO, TO LIVE WITHOUT POLLUTION. WHAT MANKIND MUST KNOW IS THAT HUMAN BEINGS CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT MOTHER EARTH, BUT THE PLANET CAN LIVE WITHOUT HUMANS.   ~ EVO MORALES  

(The Micro-Level case Study is undertaken as a fulfilment of 5th Semester, Environmental Studies Project 2017, Sazolie College, Jotsoma under the supervision of the subject teacher- Thepfusalie Theunuo).