A workshop-cum-awareness programme on National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for the two non-attainment cities of Kohima and Dimapur was held at Rhododendron Hall of Police Complex, Chümoukedima, on January 20.
The main objective of the programme, organised by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB), was to sensitise the stakeholder departments under NCAP on the objectives and aims of the programme and to build the capacity of the concerned departments through demonstrative presentations on the various activities that are to be undertaken, an update stated.
The programme was graced by N Subrahmanyan, joint director from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and Sakshi Batra, Scientist ‘B,’ Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), along with dignitaries including Y Atsase Thongtsar, secretary of EF&CC; and Kevithuto Sophie, Commissioner of Police, Dimapur.
The other participants of the programme were representatives from the stakeholder departments under NCAP including Urban Development and Municipal Affairs; Kohima Municipal Council; Dimapur Municipal Council; Department of Industries and Commerce; Forest department of Kohima and Dimapur; District Transport Office; NIT Chümoukedima; participants from the Assam and Meghalaya Pollution Control Board and NE Regional Office of CPCB, Meghalaya.
Speaking on the occasion, chairman of NPCB, Rusovil John, has stressed on cooperation of all stakeholders to address the issues of air pollution. He also gave a brief overview of NCAP targets and goals of reducing the concentration of particulate matter up to 40% by 2026, using 2017 as the base year for comparison, and stated the status of the concentrations in both the non-attainment cities of Nagaland.
The member secretary of NPCB, K Hukato Chishi, who chaired the programme, has encouraged collaborative efforts to address the issue in the state.
N Subrahmanyan gave a detailed presentation on the overview of NCAP in India with special reference to Nagaland. He highlighted the strategies and state’s role in implementation of NCAP, emphasising on the importance of convergence of resources at the national, state and city levels, preparation of state, city and micro plans to leverage funds and updation of annual plans on the PRANA portal by the concerned Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), to ensure smooth functioning and implementation of NCAP in the state.
Scientist ‘B’ of NPCB, Yanathung Kithan, gave an overview of the status of NCAP in the state and the various activities undertaken through the stakeholders like PWD, Forest department, DTO and ULBs.
In the technical session, Sakshi Batra, put forward the question of ‘Who wants clean air for themselves? Batra said the NE non-attainment cities have failed to meet the requirements of bringing down the ambient air quality levels below the permissible limit (60ug/m³) for the past few years.