Nagaland has intensified enforcement of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, following Supreme Court directions, with strict compliance and accountability measures in place.
Share
DIMAPUR — Nagaland has stepped up efforts to enforce the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, with Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen directing all departments to ensure strict compliance in line with recent Supreme Court directions, warning of legal consequences for lapses.
According to a DIPR update, a high-level meeting chaired by the chief secretary was held at the Civil Secretariat in Kohima on Friday to review effective implementation of the SWM Rules, 2026, in light of the Supreme Court’s directions in Civil Appeal No. 6174 of 2023.
In his opening remarks, Imchen reminded that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the new rules on January 27, 2026, superseding the 2016 rules with effect from April 1, 2026.
Also read: African Swine Fever detected in Peren, Longleng, Mokokchung districts
He underscored that adherence to the provisions is a statutory mandate and not optional, directing all departments to ensure strict compliance.
He further stressed the need for a comprehensive roadmap and time-bound action plans in coordination with district administrations, urban local bodies, rural local bodies, and communities.
Cautioning against non-compliance, the chief secretary said that failure to adhere to the Rules and Supreme Court directives would invite serious legal repercussions, adding that accountability has been fixed on authorities concerned and officers for any lapses.
Principal Secretary for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Y Kikheto Sema, also highlighted the importance of public awareness, segregation at source, inter-departmental coordination, and timely compliance with court directives to ensure effective planning, execution, and monitoring.
The meeting was attended by administrative heads of departments and heads of departments.