Nagaland has no functioning scientific landfill, while NPCB highlights waste-management gaps and warns of possible stricter NGT directions
DIMAPUR — Nagaland has 39 urban local bodies (ULBs) but no functioning scientific landfill, while towns continue to rely largely on unsegregated waste collection and open dumping, according to the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB).
The issue came to light during a workshop-cum-sensitisation programme on environmental rules and compliance organised by the NPCB in collaboration with Dimapur Press Club on Monday.
Speaking on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, NPCB Scientist ‘B’ Yanathung Kithan said the state generates around 255.9 tonnes of waste per day, of which about 182 tonnes is collected and 164 tonnes transported.
He said the only scientific landfill site in the state, located in Kohima, has remained non-functional. Town councils therefore continue to collect largely unsegregated waste and dispose of it at open dumping sites.
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The situation is particularly pronounced in Dimapur, where an NPCB waste-characterisation study estimated daily waste generation at 75,000–80,000 kg.
Kithan said the study found that a tractor-mounted vehicle carrying 1,320 kg of waste contained about 78% organic waste. With segregation and composting at source, the amount requiring disposal could have been reduced to around 400 kg.
Similarly, a dumper carrying nearly 4,000 kg of waste contained about 72% organic and food waste, which could have reduced the disposal load to around 1,000 kg through proper segregation and composting.
He said Nagaland’s waste-management shortcomings had also drawn the attention of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had levied environmental compensation of INR 200 crore on the state in 2022 under the ‘polluter pays’ principle over failures in scientific management of liquid and solid waste.
According to Kithan, the state appeared before the tribunal again in March, but the court was dissatisfied with its performance and granted additional time. The matter is scheduled for hearing again in November, when stricter directions could be issued.
Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, waste is to be segregated at source into wet, dry, sanitary and special-care categories, with greater responsibility placed on households and individuals.
The rules also impose obligations on bulk waste generators and provide for environmental compensation for non-compliance.
The NPCB also highlighted gaps in biomedical waste management, with Junior Environmental Engineer Nikato Swu stating that Nagaland does not have a Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility.
As of December 31, 2025, 722 healthcare facilities had obtained authorisation from the State Board, comprising 212 bedded and 510 non-bedded facilities. These facilities generated about 1,145.29 kg of biomedical waste per day in 2025.
On industrial pollution, Senior Environmental Engineer Aghali A Swu said the NPCB had issued closure notices to seven stone crushers at Burma Camp, three at Bangjak Phom colony and three at Chümoukedima.
The Board also closed one plastic manufacturing unit near Sub Jail, Dimapur, and, following Central Pollution Control Board directions, shut two single-use plastic manufacturing units at 3rd Mile and another at Chümoukedima.
She said that industries are required to obtain Consent to Establish and subsequently Consent to Operate before commencing operations, and warned that violations could invite closure notices, environmental compensation and cancellation of Consent to Operate.
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