Kohima Municipal Council took up an initiative to clean, and create awareness about, the Dzüvürü Stream, regarded as one of the worst polluted sites in Kohima.
KMC, in collaboration with five wards (12 to 16) adjacent to Dzüvürü Stream, on Saturday organized a one-day social work drive to clean up the stream used as a dumping-ground by many. Lower and Upper Chandmari (Ward-12 and 13), Dzüvürü (Ward-14), AG (Ward -15), and New Ministers Hill (Ward 16), were the five wards involved in the effort.
KMC administrator Kovi Meyase said that the amount of trash and garbage being disposed off into the stream was humongous and aquatic life and vegetation will also be adversely affected downstream by this practice.
“Clogged drains are not only ugly eyesores but health and environment hazards” he stated. According to Kovi, the massive landslides last year were alarming indicators of improperly maintained drainage networks.
Later, after the one-day social work, the KMC administrator admitted that the task was too great to be accomplished in one day.
The KMC, through this initiative hopes that people will wake up and help address the issue because cleaning up Dzüvürü Stream is not possible for a single institution, organization or individual.
He added that without concerted efforts by all stakeholders — government, public or others – it will not be possible to clean up the stream and it is imperative that such exercises continue relentlessly alongside sensitization campaigns.
He added that the impressive turn out from all the wards was also indicative of the rising level of awareness among the general public.
Kovi further termed the initiative a call for an immediate and effective intervention from all concerned agencies — especially considering the fragile geological composition of Kohima.
In addition, the KMC in collaboration with the Music Task Force Nagaland has also launched a ‘No to plastic! Yes to clean election!’ musical concert campaign in all 19 wards to create awareness about plastic and eradicate its use.
In this regard, Meyase has appealed to the general public to come, view, enjoy and learn information. The venues and performing artistes are being published because the concerts are open to everyone and not just residents of whichever ward the concert is being organized in.