As directed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) has notified mandatory source segregation of solid waste within its jurisdiction with effect from April 1, 2026, as part of the drive to make Kohima dumpsite-free by October 2026.
In a notification, KMC chief executive officer (CEO) Zapuno Sophie invoked the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, to enforce strict compliance.
The notification stated that under Rule 4(1)(b) of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, all waste generators were required to segregate waste at source, while Rule 4(2) prohibited unscientific disposal of waste.
Following stakeholder meetings on the remediation of the Dzürüzou dumpsite, the KMC has resolved to strictly enforce segregation.
Mandatory segregation at source: All waste generators — households, commercial establishments, institutions, and bulk waste generators — must segregate waste into wet (biodegradable), dry (non-biodegradable), and sanitary/domestic hazardous waste categories. Segregated waste must be handed over only to authorised waste collectors.
Effective date: Mandatory source segregation shall be enforced from April 1, 2026. However, a one-month grace period from the date of enforcement would be provided for awareness and compliance.
Prohibition on mixed waste: After the grace period, unsegregated (mixed) waste would not be collected, transported, or accepted at the KMC landfill site at Dzürüzou. Entry of mixed waste into the landfill would be strictly prohibited.
Penalties and environmental compensation: Violations would attract spot fines and user charges under Rule 15 of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Environmental compensation would be levied as per the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle. Repeated violations could lead to enhanced penalties and denial of waste collection services.
Roles and responsibilities: Ward councillors and ward/colony sanitation committees have been directed to ensure implementation and monitoring at the ward level. The municipal authority would enforce compliance through inspections, penalties, and awareness campaigns.
The measure aims to ensure scientific management of municipal solid waste, prevent environmental degradation and public health risks, facilitate remediation of the Dzürüzou dumpsite, and achieve the target of a dumpsite-free Kohima by October 2026. All stakeholders have been directed to strictly comply with the notification. , KMC cautioned that non-compliance will invite penal action under applicable provisions of law.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026