An awareness programme on the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) under the theme “Act Now: No Planet B – Every Choice Matters for Our Earth” was held at Forest Colony Community Hall, Kohima, on November 13. The event was organised by Ward No. 17 in collaboration with the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).
Addressing the gathering, Rongsenben Longkumer, Junior Scientific Assistant, Nagaland Pollution Control Board, spoke on “Ambient Air Quality” and highlighted that NCAP, launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in January 2019, is a nationwide strategy aimed at reducing PM10 and PM2.5 levels by 20–30% by 2026, using 2017 as the base year. She identified vehicular emissions, road dust, industrial activities, waste burning, and construction-related dust as major contributors to air pollution. Longkumer also stressed the need for local bodies, gram panchayats and councils to discourage waste burning, citing provisions under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and National Green Tribunal orders.
- Hanpong Konyak, Junior Scientific Assistant, also from the Nagaland Pollution Control Board, spoke on “Lifestyle for Environment”, underscoring NCAP’s vision to ensure clean and breathable air through coordinated efforts, community participation and sustainable urban practices.
The programme was chaired by Peter K. Rengma, Chairman of Forest Colony Council. Khrielievi Chüsi, Deputy Chairman of KMC, delivered the welcome address, while Hormila invoked God’s blessings. The vote of thanks was proposed by Nzinimo Lotha, Vice Chairman of Forest Colony Council.