DiWas Hub, a community-based waste sorting unit, was launched at Forest colony in Dimapur under LiFE initiative.
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DIMAPUR — DiWas Hub, the first-of-its-kind community-based waste sorting unit, was launched by Additional PCCF (Territorial) Supongnushi under the initiative of “Living For Environment” (LiFE) at Forest Colony, Dimapur, on Thursday.
Speaking at the launching programme, the additional PCCF termed the occasion as significant as it brought together civil society organisations and various government departments, including the Forest department, Industries & Commerce, municipalities, and other agencies, to find practical solutions for managing waste generated every day.
Supongnukshi pointed out that Nagaland, like many other states, faces serious waste management challenges and still lacks many of the necessary systems and facilities for effective waste disposal.
He said one of the major problems lies in the way people perceive waste, often treating it as useless instead of considering possibilities for recycling, reusing, or converting it into something valuable.
He stressed that society has developed a culture of disposability, where items are used once and discarded without much thought, contributing to environmental and social problems.
Instead of viewing waste as a burden, he encouraged people to see it as an opportunity through innovative ideas and solutions that can turn waste into something productive and profitable.
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The Forest official emphasised that cleanliness cannot be achieved individually but requires collective responsibility and community participation and urged people to follow the principles of the three Rs — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
At the same time, strong enforcement of laws and regulations is equally important for effective waste management, he added.
Commissioner & Secretary of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, said the government is making efforts to improve waste management, but visible results are yet to be achieved.
He stated that with the new Solid Waste Management Rules and strict monitoring by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court, authorities are now being held accountable for waste management and pollution control.
Kevichusa said Nagaland was recently questioned by the NGT regarding the lack of visible improvements, adding that the state has been given time till March next year to show progress on the ground.
He expressed hope that with the support of NGOs like Living For Life (LiFE) and active community participation, visible changes could be achieved, especially in major towns like Dimapur.
Mission Director of SBM (U) Kezhochole Rhetso said that waste should not be viewed as trash, but as a valuable and profitable resource if managed properly.
She pointed out that Dimapur generates more than 85 tons of waste daily within municipal limits, adding that the volume increases further when nearby villages are included.
She stated that despite extensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities carried out under SBM Phase I and II, the visible change expected at the household level has not been fully achieved.
However, she said the practical community-based initiative proposed by LiFE encouraged SBM Nagaland to collaborate in establishing the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Forest colony.
Founder and Chairman of LiFE Niksungla informed that the DiWas Hub was developed under the “Sustainable Environment Action for Green Forest Colony” project initiated in April 2025.
The hub will function as a community waste sorting unit where residents can bring waste for segregation, with recyclables stored separately while rejects are sent to the landfill. Revenue generated from recyclables will go towards community welfare.
She stated that the project became possible through the collective support of Waste Warriors, Forest Department, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Wandering Minds College of Fine Arts, and anonymous donors, who helped transform an abandoned building into an educational and community-focused waste management hub.
Short speeches were also delivered by Thungchanbemo Tungoe, Chief Executive Officer of Dimapur Municipal Council; Beizo Soukhrie, DFO; Shilumayang Ao, Forest colony chairman; and Lanutemsu, Principal of Wandering Minds College of Fine Arts.