The official state launching programme for “Swachhotsav” as part of Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 was held on Tuesday at Old NST, NH-2 in Kohima.
MLA and chairperson of the state assembly committee on Environment and Climate Change, Achumbemo Kikon delivered a keynote address emphasizing the critical link between personal responsibility and public health. He said personal hygiene is a form of self-respect and urged the public to instil the value of a clean environment in children.
“As a predominantly Christian community, we focus on cleansing our souls, but we must also dedicate ourselves to cleansing our surroundings,” Kikon stated. He pointed to clogged drains during heavy rains as a self-created disaster, noting that poor waste management habits are effectively “manufacturing diseases”.
The legislator singled out the improper disposal of septic waste as a major pollutant of rivers and ecosystems. He called for citizens to look to neighbouring states like Meghalaya as examples of cleanliness and challenged Kohima residents to lead by example for other districts.
Kikon also outlined practical steps for improvement, including the crucial segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and warned of the severe long-term impacts of careless plastic disposal. He championed the concept of converting “waste into wealth” and concluded by asserting that “cleanliness is everybody’s business,” requiring a committed effort from all citizens to keep the city clean.

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Along with the state level launch, the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 initiative was also launched in Pfutsero town under Phek district, in collaboration with Eco-Club TMTHSS focusing on clean and green festivities and zero waste community celebration on September 17.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and executive officer Pfutsero Town Council (PTC), Mhalo Humtsoe spoke on the topic the importance of waste segregation, waste responsibility and to avoid dumping of waste in the nallas/drainage.

Director Kalos Society Pfutsero Kupellhi Losou in his speech, said Pfutsero is considered as one of the most beautiful towns where public leaders, colony leaders and administration are doing their best to keep the town maintain its beauty and remain clean. He however said the public are throwing non-biodegradable and waste items in the drainages during rainy season which blocks the drainage system.

He called upon the citizens to co-operate and have a sense of responsibility in keeping their surroundings clean and to pay sanitation fees on time towards making the town beautiful.

Mikha Kenye, chairperson PTC presented the keynote address on the occasion. The programme was attended by school children, public leaders, and elders of the town.

In Chozuba town, which is also under Phek district, the campaign was formally launched by Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Dr. Chithu Nienu in the ADC’s office premises on.

The programme was attended by Councillors of Chozuba Town Council and public leaders of the area.

Under the initiative of ADC and executive officer Aghunato Town Council (ATC), and in collaboration with the ATC, the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign was launched at the ADC’s Office, Aghunato, under Zunheboto district.

ADC Hotolu Sema in his welcome address briefed the gathering about the campaign and highlighted the various activities to be undertaken during the month-long camping, where he urged all concerned to extend support and co-operation for the success of the campaign.

The month-long campaign will witness series of activities under Aghunato sub-division, such as constructing proper barricades at existing sites, cleaning of public ground and drains, mass social work involving schools, government offices and commercial establishments, cleaning of newly identified CTUs, cleaning of legacy waste (dumping sites), mass social work to observe “Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath”, and health camp for sanitation workers.

The launching programme was chaired by councillor ATC Elison while deputy chairperson ATC, Nitokhu briefed the gathering about Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. A short speech was also delivered by Vikishe, chairperson GB Union Aghunato.