All Nagaland Taxi Association Wokha marks raising day with river clean-up

All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Wokha Unit, observed its Raising Day on November 18, by organising a picnic-cum-cleanliness drive at the Doyang River Tzuza Eru, Pangti, aiming to address the large amount of plastic waste and debris that flows downstream during the monsoon season from various districts across Nagaland.
According to the association, over 130 drivers and volunteers took part in the initiative, cleaning multiple locations in the river on November 17 and 18. Despite challenges such as high-water levels and the lack of proper safety equipment, the members managed to clear significant amounts of waste from the riverbanks. Small boats were used to reach difficult areas, and a central collection point was set up for gathered waste.
Addressing the media, ANTA Wokha unit president, Renbemo Kikon, general secretary, Lipen Ovung, and other ANTA members shared that the drive was a goodwill initiative undertaken during their one-day break on the occasion of the Raising Day.
ANTA added that the accumulated waste poses a threat to the river’s health and impacts the surrounding communities as well. They informed that the collected waste will be handed over to Assam-based rag dealers for proper recycling and further processing.
While acknowledging that cleaning the entire Doyang River is beyond their capacity, the association stressed that they are committed to contributing in whatever way they can. Looking ahead, ANTA Wokha unit stated that they will begin creating awareness among both drivers and passengers. They encouraged taxi operators to keep a plastic bag inside their vehicles for waste disposal instead of throwing litter outside. ANTA Wokha also stated that passengers are also encourage to follow the practice and dispose of garbage collectively at designated points.
The association further urged the government to conduct such cleanliness missions more frequently, noting that government-led initiatives have a wider impact. They also appealed for the establishment of a recycling centre to manage waste more effectively and called for action to address the main sources from where the waste is being transported into the Doyang River.