As part of the “Himalayan Cleanup Campaign” across the 12 mountain states of India –– an initiative of Integrated Mountain Initiative, a cleanup drives were organized across Nagaland on Saturday.
In Dimapur, LiFE, in collaboration with Act Of Kindness (AOK), Trailblazer society and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), organised cleanup campaign on the theme “Our mountains deserve better”, early Saturday morning at Dimapur Railway station. The event was coordinated by Sustainable Development Forum (SDF) Nagaland and sponsored by Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).
Speaking to Nagaland Post, LiFE chairperson, Nisungla (Nicky Jamir) said that the campaign was an initiative focussing on the problem of waste in the mountains. She said that the purpose of the drive was not only to raise awareness on plastic pollution and its harmful effects, but to do a realistic brand audit through data collection at the source.
She said that it was also to identify the materials that generate more pollution in the form of packaging or of a variety which were of single use such as bottled water, disposable spoons, cups, etc.
The cleanup drive began with a brief highlight of the campaign and work distribution. The cleanup campaign saw the participation of 20 voluntary organisations, institutions and individual volunteers comprising, totalling around 280 individuals.
Organisations that participated in the drive included AOK, Trailblazer society, Ebenezer orphanage home, All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA), Auto Union, Nagaland Police, MCO Dimapur, DABA, Dimapur Lotha Baptist Church, Indisen youth ministry, NEISSR, Livingstone Higher Secondary School, Cutting Edge College, Salt Christian College of Teachers Education, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Immanuel College, Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Northeast Frontier Railways, Asangma Students’ Union, and Dimapur Changki Laishiri Longjem (DCLL).
The clean-up work was delegated after being categorized into eight different designated zones such as pay and use toilet in and around Railway station, open dump site near the entrance of Railway station, Railway bazaar, two Railway station foot over-bridges, back-gate of Railway station, main Railway station area, and PRS.
In Medziphema, Youth Department of Baptist Church ‘A’ Medziphema Town (BC’A’MT), conducted cleanliness drive in and around local ground, Medziphema on Saturday.
Led by activists Kenino Makritsu and Vikhilie Terhüja as coordinators of the Cleanup campaign, a large number of youths showing solidarity towards maintaining eco-friendly environment participated in the drive.
In its effort to discourage the use of plastic bags, the organisers also distributed local-made paper bags to nearby shopkeepers free of cost.
Megozo Meru, an environmental activist, was also present beside MTMK president Akhoto Kuotsu, who thanked the organisers for the initiative.
MON: Joining the 12 other mountain states in the Himalayan Clean Up campaign, Mon town Saturday conducted cleanliness drive from private station, Mon.
The drive was organised by Walo organisation, an NGO based in Mon for documentation, health, education and various other social initiatives.
The Mon district administration also supported and took part in the drive. Various unions, clubs and associations like Mon Town Students’ Union, Jovinal Sports and Welfare Club, Konyak Union, Grace Ministry, Sunday School Department of Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum and other concerned denizens also supported the drive.
A signature campaign taking the pledge to ‘beat plastic pollution’ was also undertaken in Mon, whihc was signed by individuals and groups.
As a follow up of this campaign, a group has been formed and a decision was taken to discuss the theme on June 5 (World Environment Day), for zero waste and to beat plastic pollution.
MOKOKCHUNG: More than 300 volunteers turned up for the campaign event held in Mokokchung organized by Clean Mokokchung Campaign. The volunteers were from various local organizations and groups like Mokochung Police, Ao Kaketshir Telongjem, Mokokchung Motorcycle Association, AA Mokokchung, Childline Centre Mokokchung.
The clean-up campaign that started from Old Town Hall area covered MMC Complex, Police Point Area, the stretch of road that leads to Police Station I, Yongpang market and the whole stretch of the road to Police Point.