NLA Committee on Environment & Climate Change inspects Kohima’s rivers, waste management site

• 

  
  

• Achumbemo Kikon along with other members of the committee and officials at Sanuoru River on Thursday. (EM Images)

• 
  

• KOHIMA — The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Committee on Environment & Climate Change on Thursday conducted spot verification of various streams and solid waste management sites in and around Kohima, including the Solid Waste Management Plant at Lerie, Dzüvurü (Mohon Khola), Vurierü, Sanuorü, and another facility located below the IG Stadium.
• 
  
• The inspection was carried out by legislators Zhaleo Rio, Mhathung Yanthan, Hekani Jakhalu, and Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso. They were led by the committee chairman, Achumbemo Kikon.
• 
  
• Speaking to journalists, Kikon said the committee was constituted by the NLA Speaker after the Assembly attained its 60th anniversary. This is the first time such a committee has been formed.
• 
  
• He said the committee is taking the environmental crisis seriously, emphasising that the threats are both natural and man-made—not just in Nagaland, but across the globe. He added that the 14th NLA, under the wisdom of the speaker and with the endorsement of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, is taking a committed stand on these issues.
• 
  
• He informed that the committee held its first meeting on April 24 and decided that the first priority would be inspecting rivers, recognising the urgent need for clean water sources.

Also read: Installation of rock and slope barriers underway along NH-29

• Highlighting the problem of water scarcity in Kohima and across Nagaland, Kikon appealed to village authorities, town councils, municipal council members, and citizens to take responsibility for keeping rivers clean. He stressed that several rivers pass through Kohima town, and collective responsibility is vital for their preservation.
• 
  
• Kikon urged citizens not to throw waste into rivers and particularly warned against disposing of polythene bags, plastic water bottles, and septic tank drainage into the streams.
• 
  
• Advisor for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Zhaleo Rio, said the team inspected several streams and visited the solid waste treatment plant at Lerie.
• 
  
• He mentioned that the Urban Development department has planned interventions, including the interception and diversion of contaminated water in rivers such as the Sanuorü.
• 
  
• He stated that four projects—covering the west, east, north, and south zones—are in the pipeline, with the Kohima component costing over INR 20 crore. The cost in Dimapur, he said, will be higher.
• 
  These projects aim to treat water and release clean water back into the rivers. While monsoon rains flush out much of the waste, Rio emphasised the need for treatment during lean periods.
• 
  
• He appealed to citizens to stop littering rivers and streams, warning that environmental degradation affects everyone.
• 
  
• Zhaleo also noted that similar efforts will be undertaken in Dimapur and other districts. Initially, water treatment plants are being set up in a few districts, with plans to extend to all districts under the direction of the National Green Tribunal.
• 
  
• He commended the speaker’s initiative to set up the new Committee on Environment & Climate Change and expressed hope that it will make meaningful progress.
• 
  
• Meanwhile, Kikon reiterated that the inspection is just the beginning. Referring to the committee's first meeting on April 24, he said, “It is now time for all of us to wake up from a deep slumber and clean our surroundings.”
• 
  
• He remarked that Nagaland, in terms of natural beauty, is comparable to Singapore and Switzerland. “It is the people who are messing things up,” he said, adding, “This is only the first step—we will extend our inspections to other districts and hold several rounds of meetings.”
• 
  
• The committee, wherever necessary, will recommend swift, immediate, and prompt action to the government.
• 
  
• Kikon also shared that the committee has identified 17 line departments—including Forest and Environment, Urban Development, Agriculture, and Fisheries—that need to work in collaboration with the committee to improve the state’s environment and address climate change challenges.