Chümoukedima Town Council in partnership with Chümoukedima Town Youth Organisation and Eco Squad organised Clean Himalaya Campaign at Chümoukedima Town, Dimapur braving the rainy weather. A total participation of 240 volunteers from Agape Hr Sec School, St Joseph Hr Sec School, Mt Mary Hr Sec School, Government Hr Sec School, North Town Hr sec School, CTSU and Eco Squad participated in the campaign and cleaned seven locations. (DIPR Photo)
• Bio-stabilization process in Dimapur substantially reduced volume and foul smell of garbage, could be replicated in other districts
• No scrap dealers except in Dimapur and Kohima districts
Dimapur, May 31 (MExN): The Himalayan Clean Up Campaign (THC) Nagaland Chapter was held on May 25 in 7 districts, 9 locations. A report from LH Thangi Mannen stated that 1634 volunteers participated in the cleanup. The Campaign saw the active participation of NGOs, youth organizations, local town councils, police, administrations, individuals and other concerned organizations.
The total waste of the Cleanup was place at 23,102 Kgs of which PET bottles forms the highest polluters, followed by multi layered plastics, and single used plastics.
A study from the reports of the Cleanup showed that the constant and most common item were single use plastics, like the small plastic pan wrappers, the plastic bags of all sizes and thickness, and plastic cups.
It also emerged that, apart from Dimapur and Kohima, other districts in the state do not have scrap dealers or waste collectors to collect the recyclable waste. This means, such places will witness continuous pile up of garbage at an alarming rate.
The landfill at Mon is also located next to the river with most of the waste spilling into it. Localities outside the Dimapur Municipal areas do not have any landfills to dispose their waste, resulting in the local residents burning their waste adding to air pollution, making Dimapur’s air quality index (AQI) on the more polluted list.
On a brighter note, the Dimapur landfill has in recent times under gone the process of bio-stabilization “which not only comparatively reduced the volume of the garbage, but also its faulty smell.” The report suggested that the Dimapur initiative could be replicated in other landfills, after a thorough assessment is made on its environmental impact.
It however noted that the technology for the same is expensive and as a result many municipals may not be able to afford it. The report suggest that the government could consider taking this up in their plan of action for solid waste management. “It is time, that adequate budget provision and focus be given for tackling the issue of waste management, in the state”, the report added.
THC showed the coming together of all concerned individuals, organizations, youths, schools and even some government departments.
