A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) on Open Defecation Free (ODF) plus organised by Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) rural division Dimapur and sponsored by Water and Sanitation Support Organization (WSSO) Nagaland was held on August 6 at Xelhozhe and S Hotovi villages under Kuhuboto block, Dimapur.
A press release by the department informed that the main objective of the programme was ODF plus sustenance with focus on solid and liquid waste management, plastic waste management and Fecal Sludge Management (FSM).
At the programme, district coordinator DWSM Dimapur, Imojungla Longkumer spoke about components of ODF plus and stressed on importance of reduce, reuse and recycle.
Dwelling on plastic waste management, she stressed on adopting single use plastic free lifestyle such as using reusable cotton bags for shopping, reusable cups or plates or biodegradable disposables during gatherings and events.
Longkumer said with concerted efforts by all individuals and community plastic pollution could be reduced to great extent.
Sanitation and hygiene consultant, DWSM Vito G Sema spoke on liquid waste management and ways to contain it while IEC consultant, Vibou Seyie briefed the gathering on solid waste management and need to use locally available resources to replace single use plastic.
The visiting team urged community leaders to put their heads together, to work out ways and means to tackle plastic menace and promote zero single use plastic.
The programme was attended by village council, WATSAN members, women, student, youth and church leaders.