Brainstorming session on ‘Clean Kohima’

Correspondent KOHIMA, JUNE 11 Although Kohima boasts of being the first municipality in the country to decentralize its waste collection and disposal, the problem of keeping the town clean has become a herculean task for the municipal body and the town’s garbage continues to pose as an eyesore. With the aim to address the growing menace of irresponsible disposing of wastes in and around the state capital, the state’s department of Home has stepped forward and put together a brainstorming session on ‘Clean Kohima’ at the Zonal Council Hall, Kohima on Tuesday. Discussions on various civic sanitation issues such as how to tackle and manage the town’s garbage and liquid wastes, how to keep the drainages and the main roads clean and how to educate and involve all citizens at all levels dominated the session. The need for a change in public attitude and behaviour in waste management, involving the younger generation and educating them on sanitation, and stringent laws by and for implementing agencies were the key points that were stressed by the participants. Delivering the keynote address, Chief Secretary, Banuo Jamir underscored the need for every citizen to inculcate the habit of cleanliness, starting from their homes. She called upon all the citizens to introspect and ask themselves how best each one of them can contribute towards sustaining the cleanliness of the town. As Christians, we have to think about whether we are really reflecting Christ in our lives and our surroundings, she said. While acknowledging that the municipal and wards are working hard to keep the town clean, Jamir said concerted efforts from all quarters are needed. She expressed dismay that unauthorized dumping of garbage waste can be seen at many areas along the main road from Phesama check gate across the town, till the Secretariat road. “Our roadsides and drains are strewn with plastic bags and paper waste,” she lamented and went on to add that the people have to be sensitized on the purpose of drains. “Most of our drains are filled with muck…we have to make the people understand the purpose of drainages and keep them (drains) free for water to flow,” Jamir said. Noting that waste generation is a situation that is only going to increase as people become more affluent, she said the question at hand is how the people should reduce their waste. The official also pointed out that a prominent person who recently visited the state capital had remarked that while the hospitality of the people was very good, the town was dirty. Stating that it was an embarrassing incident, she asserted, “We have to do something to change this situation.” She emphasized the need for a change in the attitude and mindset of the people with regard to sanitation and civic sense. The state’s Urban Development Department (UDD) whose Municipal Administration Cell oversees 19 urban local bodies (ULBs) including the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), highlighted different types of wastes as well as the efforts of the KMC in waste management. According to the department, solid wastes compose of Paper, wood, cardboard (53%), Garbage - food waste, household waste (22%), ceramic, glass, crockery (10%), Metals (8%) and Rubber, Plastic (7%). The effects of such wastes in terms of health are epidemic outbreaks and spread diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, plague etc., while the environment impacts are air and water pollution. The department also presented a case study of practices in sanitation and civic amenities of a municipality smaller than Kohima called the Nongprue Municipality (Thailand). Officers of relevant government departments, leaders of different service associations including the IAS, IFS, NCS, NDA, IPS, NCSA, CANSSEA and FONSESA, representatives of various stakeholders such as the colony panchayats, KMC, Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI), district administration, media, Angami Students’ Union, NBCC environment & sanitation committee and other civil societies participated in the session. Following a marathon meeting, several resolutions were drafted which will be refined and taken forward by the responsible authorities. Draft of the Resolutions • Ban on throwing of garbage and opening of septic tanks in the drainages. • Use of 40microns and above plastic bags. • Collection of waste by KMC should be completed before 6 am and after 6 pm. • Specific collection points will be designated by the KMC and large collection bins will be provided • Enforcement of building by-laws. • Strict actions on owners of business establishments who do not adhere to the timing and designated points. • Private water suppliers should sort their supply cables. • Drains should be cleaned at least once a month. • Ban construction of pigs sty, latrine over the drainages; defaulters will face penalty. • Construction of concrete drainage with slab coverings along the highway; edge to edge black topping of roads needed. • Existing culverts to be opened and align the storm water to flow through the natural drains • Workshops/hardware shops not to be allowed on the highway. • The stretch of highways to be divided into segments and instruct the concerned shopkeepers and residents to keep their stretch clean. • Prevent unregulated private pipelines/cables etc along the drainages blocking the drains. • The colonies should chalk out programmes for cleaning the drains. • Sensitization should start from each family and reach to the colony level. • To form a forum comprising of all sections of society – NGOs/ Wards/ KMC/ Religious Institutions/ district admin/DPDB and headed by the commissioner & Secretary UDD. • Encourage school sanitation clubs; schools & colleges to observe cleanliness day. • Declare a day as ‘Clean Day’ once a year. • Introduce a course on sanitation at administrative training institute. • To include a subject on sanitation in the school curriculum. • Churches to set aside one Sunday as sanitation Sunday and other religious faiths to also have a day for sanitation. • To sensitize blue collar workers. • Nobody should deposit their garbage on Sundays before 6pm.