The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Committee on Environment and Climate Change (CoE&CC) recently conducted a crucial on-site assessment of three major rivers in Kohima – the Dzüvürü, Vürierü, and Sanuorü – revealing a concerning level of pollution and environmental degradation.
Led by Chairman Achumbemo Kikon, the committee, including members Mhathung Yanthan, Hekani Jakhalu, Zhaleo Rio, and Nyusietho Nyuthe, along with MLA Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhütso and municipal councillors, witnessed firsthand the dire state of these vital water bodies.
The inspection revealed a disturbing trend of indiscriminate dumping, with plastic waste, septic discharge, untreated sewage, and other hazardous materials turning the Dzüvürü, Vürierü, and Sanuorü rivers into virtual dumping grounds. Officials expressed serious concerns about the potential environmental and public health repercussions for Kohima’s residents.
“A Wake-Up Call”: Urgent Action Needed to Save Kohima’s Rivers
Speaking to the media, Chairman Achumbemo Kikon emphasized the urgent need for collective responsibility in protecting Kohima’s water resources. He highlighted the irony of a water-scarce region allowing its rivers to be polluted unchecked. “The biggest challenge today is the environment… Rivers like Dzüvürü and Sanuorü have become dumping grounds… This is a wake-up call,” he stated.
The CoE&CC, formed earlier this year, plans to hold extensive consultations and present concrete recommendations to the Nagaland government. Kikon appealed to village councils, municipal authorities, and the public to take ownership of their local rivers and cease polluting them, urging a shift in attitude towards environmental stewardship.
Advisor for Urban Development and committee member Zhaleo Rio informed that the state government has initiated projects, including an “interception and diversion” project for the Sanuorü river, aimed at treating wastewater before it enters the water bodies. However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenge of pollution buildup, particularly during the lean season.
Rio also pointed out that the newly formed assembly committee has a broad mandate under the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, extending beyond Kohima to address environmental issues in other urban areas like Dimapur.
Multi-Departmental Collaboration for Long-Term Solutions
The CoE&CC intends to collaborate with approximately 17 government departments to develop comprehensive strategies for water management, waste treatment, and long-term climate resilience across Nagaland.
The recent inspection marks the beginning of a dedicated effort by the committee to protect Nagaland’s delicate ecological balance. The team stressed that public awareness, behavioral change, and effective inter-departmental cooperation are essential to prevent irreversible damage to the state’s environment.
The committee also plans to undertake initiatives such as waste segregation and management awareness campaigns, water recycling projects, and the construction of waste incinerators across all districts of Nagaland in the near future.
The on-site assessment conducted by the NLA’s Committee on Environment and Climate Change has unequivocally revealed that Kohima’s vital rivers – the Dzüvürü, Vürierü, and Sanuorü – are indeed under siege from rampant pollution. The alarming levels of waste dumping, as witnessed firsthand, pose a significant threat to both the environment and the health of Kohima’s residents. Recognizing this critical situation as a “wake-up call,” the committee, alongside government initiatives and emphasizing the crucial role of public cooperation, has embarked on a “sustained and inclusive mission” to restore ecological balance. This endeavor necessitates multi-departmental collaboration and a fundamental shift in public attitude to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Nagaland’s precious water resources.