Nagaland Pollution Control Board launches HAWA app

The launch of the HAWA app and the declaration of results for an online reel-making competition, organized by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) on the occasion of National Pollution Control Day 2025, were held at Kisama on December 2.
K. Hukato Chishi, IFS, member secretary of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) who launched the app, highlighted that as December 2 is observed as the national pollution control Day ,they had launched the HAWA app with the hope that it will have a deep impact in the future. The HAWA Grievances App is designed and developed by Zeliang Codetech Pvt. Ltd.
He said the HAWA app, which stands for Healthier Air and Water Appraisal App for Nagaland, is a mobile application developed by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board to help citizens report waste and pollution in their surroundings. It allows users to report waste so that pollution control authorities can take quick action to maintain a cleaner environment. The app is available on the Google Play Store for citizens who want to contribute to making Nagaland pollution-free.
Yanathung Kithan, Scientist ‘B’ of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board, led the presentation on Air Quality and Introduction of the HAWA App. He highlighted the main factors of pollution in Nagaland: dust from bad roads, burning of waste, vehicular emissions, stone crushers, brick kilns, construction and demolition waste, bursting of firecrackers, and firewood burning for cooking.
He informed that both Kohima and Dimapur, along with other districts, have crossed the permissible limit of 60. The air quality of Kohima and Dimapur city has been placed under “non-attainment city” with respect to Particulate Matter (PM10) by the Central Pollution Control Board, Government of India.
“Non-attainment city has been classified based on consecutive monitoring of ambient air quality for the period 2011-2015.”
The Central government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy to achieve the targets. The target centre aims at a 40% reduction in particulate matter by 2026.
Short term health effects of air pollution are: Headache, nose, eyes and throat inflammation, coughing, painful breathing, pneumonia, bronchitis, skin irritation. The Long term affects are that it effects central nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases.
The winners of the reel-making competition are:
1st prize: Khriesevinuo Gloria Dziivichii, Grace, Gracy Aye
2nd prize: Chongpongmanen, Aosanen, Putilemla
3rd prize: Kelly Pfithu, Nzeineile, Alingla T Sangtam, P. Vishikali Assumi
Consolation prizes: Aoinla, Khumchose, Noune Metha, Vetholü Theluo, Kunukhwulu Veswuh, Kevisetuo Keviu Rüpreo