Waste management a problem in Dzükou valley

Morung Express news
Kohima | August 29

Dzükou Valley was reopened on July 18 for the second time after the COVID-19 situation seemingly improved and restrictions imposed due to COVID were eased. The 2nd wave of the pandemic brought almost all activities including the tourism industry to a standstill for more than three months in the state.  

Over a month after Dzükou was reopened during the peak season, the growing footfall of trekkers in the fragile valley has led to the problem of waste management and pollution. A huge cause of concern that poses threat to the pristine ecology of Dzükou given its remoteness is the fact that the valley is not well equipped with waste management infrastructure to handle the amount of garbage generated during the peak season.

According to an official of the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO), the last three weeks saw the highest number of visitors which was between 100-200 people daily either on return or overnight treks. While the youth organization had earlier declared the valley as a ‘plastic free zone,’ implementation of the various dos and don’ts for trekkers such as ‘registering all non-biodegradable items at the entry’ and using eco-friendly essentials, etc. and compliance by general public is poorly executed.

For instance, tons of garbage mostly plastic bottles and food packaging items were dumped along the trekking route beside a dustbin and rest camp. It was also observed that no registrations of non-biodegradable items were being facilitated at the point of entry apart from sale of entry tickets.

“I think Nagaland government should do a lot more to supplement SAYO. One of the most urgent needs is infrastructure for waste management both on the trails and at the camp site. There are not enough waste bins on the trails both on the way up and also down in the valley and at the campsite,” Neisato Neihu, a local here opined.  

“Proper waste disposal with segregation of wet and dry waste and sanitation infrastructure is badly required. The second is notice boards to remind people to not leave anything there and use waste bins,” Neihu suggested. He also opined that SAYO should appoint people to check bags of all visitors for alcohol bottles, cans and plastic bags and make sure that they are carried back. This can be done by caretakers when people are checking in and out of the base camps, he added.

The SAYO also admitted that garbage collection is initiated from time to time apart from cleanliness drives. To avoid littering or accidental fires, camping in the valley is permitted only in the rest camp and its vicinity.

SAYO President, Zakielato Tsukru observed that most of the littering is done by locals who carelessly dispose garbage along the paths and not by tourists or outsiders. Given the humongous responsibility, Tsukru appealed trekkers to read and follow the dos and don’ts properly which will strengthen the effort of the youth organization and local community for a holistic waste management approach.

For Rokovikho Chale, President of Nagaland Adventure and Mountaineering Club (NAAME) slogan campaigns with certain authority through proper coordination and regulation can be effective. Another person also suggested that assessment of waste generated during the peak season with the help of government authorities so that set regulations can be reviewed and a better and sustainable model can be worked out by incorporating best practices.