The Committee on Environment and Climate Change, chaired by MLA Achumbemo Kikon, on Tuesday adopted two major resolutions with the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), and Colony Chairpersons to tackle sanitation and river pollution in the State capital.
The first resolution prohibits residents from polluting the rivers, not releasing septic waste into rivers. The second directs colonies to create access routes for cesspool and sanitation vehicles, enabling KMC to manage waste effectively in congested areas.
These resolutions were adopted during a consultative meeting headed by Achumbemo Kikon which was attended by Councillors of the Kohima Municipal Council, Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Colony Chairpersons at K Shiku Conference Hall, Assembly Secretariat.
Achumbemo informed five members of the NLA Committee on Environment and Climate Change held a meeting while two members were out of station with the members of the Kohima Municipal Council, Kohima Chamber of Commerce and the Colony Chairmen in Kohima town.
Sharing details of their activities, Achumbemo noted that the committee has been actively inspecting problematic sites such as dumping grounds and river stretches in both Kohima and Dimapur.
He further stated that the committee had earlier engaged with the Dimapur Municipal Council, East Dimapur Town Council, and Chümoukedima Town Council during their visits to these urban centres, with the aim of understanding ground realities and challenges faced in managing waste, urban development, and environmental degradation.
Highlighting the outcomes of the meeting, Achumbemo said the Committee resolved to strictly prevent the pollution of rivers and to prohibit the discharge of septic tank waste into water bodies such as the Chathe and Dhansiri rivers. In line with its earlier deliberations in Dimapur and Chümoukedima, the committee carried forward the same discussions with KMC and unanimously adopted two key resolutions together with the colony chairpersons.
He added that the day’s programme included a short briefing meeting with KMC, held separately, followed by a general consultative meeting.
One of the resolutions unanimously adopted was that no residents or families in Kohima will be allowed to release septic tank waste into rivers or drainages. Enforcement of this decision will be carried out jointly by the colony authorities, KMC, and the Kohima Chamber of Commerce.
Achumbemo highlighted that while KMC has been struggling with limited cesspool facilities to manage septic waste, another challenge lies in the lack of access to certain congested colonies in Kohima town, making collection and disposal more difficult.
In regards to the difficulties faced , the committee passed a resolution collectively, that the colony will make an endeavor to find a passage, to let easy accessible for cesspool and other vehicles related to Sanitation which are being executed, used by the KMC, he cited .
The MLA also highlighted growing concerns over river pollution and the littering problem in Kohima town. He informed that the municipal councils have already held thorough deliberations on the matter and have resolved to reactivate the fecal sludge treatment plant, which is already being constructed by the government.
He added that in Merima, a very good facility is being provided by the Government investing hundreds of crores yet put in operation.
Achumbemo highlighted that all paperwork for re-advertisement has been completed, and the Kohima Municipal Council will soon issue a fresh notice for the operation of the fecal sludge facility already constructed at Meriema.
He further informed that the committee has decided to reactivate waste segregation and recycling at Lerie Colony. Stating that the area has already been inspected and that the government has invested substantial funds, running into hundreds of crores, he said, “All this will be reactivated. What we would like to urge upon the citizens of Kohima City is to kindly obey the rules.”
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The MLA further mentioned that the KMC and the Kohima Chamber of Commerce have been implementing various rules on waste segregation, classifying biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
Achumbemo emphasized that waste should be turned into wealth and expressed confidence that segregation would be carried out more efficiently. He also urged the citizens of Kohima Town to cooperate by segregating their waste, so that it becomes easier for the KMC and the Chamber of Commerce to implement and effectively execute cleanliness measures, as well as transport the waste to the recycling site.
Highlighting concerns over waste accumulation at the Doyang River, Kikon pointed out that plastic bottles and other waste from Kohima eventually flow down to the river. He added that a portion of the waste also comes from the Tseminyu side and another from tributaries near VK. He stressed that these concerns were raised during the meeting, noting that unless Kohima Town is kept clean, other towns downstream cannot remain clean either.
“Instead of setting a good example for other townships, we ourselves are contributing to the pollution of other cities and rivers,” he added.
Achumbemo further emphasized that sensitizing the citizens of Kohima is crucial, expressing the committee’s deep concern over the issue.
