Nagaland: Achumbemo reviews sanitation issues

Chairman of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, Achumbemo Kikon, MLA held a review meeting with officials from the office of the Deputy Commissioner and Meluri Town Council to deliberate on pressing sanitation and waste disposal challenges in Meluri on January 21.
Emphasizing that climate change was no longer a distant threat but a pressing issue affecting Nagaland, Achumbemo called for collective action.
He highlighted the upcoming COP31 – 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, and stressed that global cooperation is crucial in tackling climate change. “As we prepare for COP31, we must recognize our role in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts,” he said.
Achumbemo urged local leaders to sensitize residents and set examples for surrounding villages, particularly in view of increasing rural‑to‑urban migration.
He reminded that sanitation falls within the Town Council’s democratic mandate and advised officials to prioritize dustbin placement, segregation, and safe disposal rather than allowing waste to accumulate.
The MLA also visited the town’s dumping site to assess the situation firsthand. Following the visit, he directed officials to identify a suitable site for a segregation and processing facility, stressing the need for a structured sanitation plan.
Officials briefed Achumbemo on challenges including manpower shortage, limited vehicles, absence of segregation sites, and funding delays. They pointed out that solid waste was transported at high cost due to lack of treatment facilities in Meluri. The town also lacks cesspool facilities for liquid and fecal waste, forcing reliance on makeshift alternatives. Narrow approach roads in several colonies have further restricted waste collection vehicles, leading to accumulated waste and delays in clearing.
Assuring joint follow‑up with the Municipal Affairs Department, Achumbemo emphasized the importance of immediate action.
He remarked, “If we take action on the spot, leaders take it seriously. If we only talk at the table, things do not move.”