DPDB, SDPDB meetings focus on environmental initiatives

The District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) meetings for Peren, Mokokchung, and Sub-Divisional Planning & Development Board (SDPDB) at Pughoboto were held on June 5 and 6, 2025, addressing key developmental and environmental concerns in their respective districts.
A DIPR report informed that in Peren, Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang led discussions on sustainable plantation, coordination of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and a proposed Private Public Partnership project at GHS Nsong. He commended officers and staff for their active participation in a plantation drive, stressing the need for proper maintenance and suggesting a limit on planting capacity for sustainability. DC Peren, Hiazu Meru, announced a mass social work initiative to be conducted on the fourth Friday of every month and encouraged participation. The board approved a Pilot Project for Private Public Partnership at GHS Nsong, while the proposal for Rural Upliftment Society in Tening Town was deferred due to a lack of verifying officers. Officials from the Labour Department also presented a report on various initiatives.
Meanwhile, in Mokokchung, Nuklutoshi MLA chaired the DPDB meeting alongside advisor of Law & Justice and Land Revenue, T.N. Mannen. The meeting emphasized plastic waste management, biodiversity conservation, and community welfare initiatives. Nuklutoshi urged the district administration to draft a Plastic Waste Collection Road Map to make Mokokchung plastic-free. DC Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, supported the initiative and highlighted the chairman’s donation of six water dispensers for public use. The board granted provisional recognition to Little Friends Montessori Pre-School in Tzusapang Sector, forwarding it for final approval. In observance of World Environment Day, Mannen emphasized biodiversity protection and enforcement of bans on hunting and fishing using chemicals or explosives to preserve wildlife. ADC Mokokchung, Atsung Walling, was officially welcomed at the meeting.
In Pughoboto, the SDPDB met at the New Administrative Complex under the chairmanship of Dr. Sukhato A. Sema MLA and co-chairmanship of ADC Tiameren Chang. A major highlight was a presentation on the Carbon Credit Program (CCP) by Anito Swu, administrator of New Foundation School and Founder of “Go Green Club.” The program under REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) aims to conserve forests while allowing communities to earn carbon credits, fostering a sustainable economic model.
Several infrastructure proposals were discussed, including the establishment of an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Pughoboto, cemented roads at Mishilimi village, restoration of Mukalimi-Chishilimi Road damaged by a landslide, and various LADP Iconic Projects such as drainage walls, approach roads, and agriculture-based initiatives. Other recommendations included the construction of a new EAC Office, SDPO Office, and a Sub-Divisional Customary Court at the new Administrative Complex. The proposal for recognizing Kuhozuqa village was put on hold following a state directive freezing village and subdivision upgrades.
Concluding the session, Dr. Sukhato A. Sema reaffirmed the board’s commitment to sustainable development, infrastructure growth, and community welfare, urging cooperation among members to build a resilient and forward-looking Pughoboto.