Nagaland goes green: Hornbillzero-plastic, SABB boosts sanitation

Nagaland’s push for environmental sustainability received a major boost this year through two key initiatives- the Hornbill Festival’s zero-plastic roadmap and intensified sanitation interventions under the Safai Apnao Bimaari Bhagao (SABB) campaign.
According to a PIB press release, the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival has been hailed as a national model for sustainable event management, achieving a zero-waste, zero-plastic, and fully eco-friendly festival environment.
All single-use plastics- including straws, plates, cups, and bags- were completely banned, with vendors required to adopt biodegradable alternatives such as bamboo straws, leaf plates, and bagasse cutlery. Regular inspections ensured strict compliance.
More than one million plastic items were avoided, and the festival is estimated to have prevented nearly 50 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. To support the initiative, organisers installed clearly marked bins for wet, dry, and recyclable waste across the venue, while volunteers guided visitors in proper waste segregation. Dry waste was sent for recycling, and wet waste was composted on-site for distribution to local farmers.
Visitors were encouraged to bring personal utensils, while refillable water stations reduced reliance on bottled water. A total of 42 clean public toilets were deployed to maintain hygiene throughout the event.
Local sourcing of materials further reduced transportation emissions, reinforcing a circular economy approach. Officials said the festival’s sustainability measures demonstrated how cultural celebrations can successfully integrate environmental responsibility.
Nagaland boosts monsoon preparedness with intensive sanitation drives
Meanwhile, Nagaland has emerged as one of the leading performers in the North East under the SABB campaign, launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0. The campaign aimed to strengthen sanitation systems and improve public health preparedness ahead of the monsoon season.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the state- including Tuensang, Bhandari, Pfutsero, Mokokchung, Kohima, and Dimapur- carried out targeted cleanliness and sanitation activities. Dimapur prioritised storm drain cleaning, while Mokokchung conducted school-based awareness drives. Remote towns like Tening and Tizit organised health camps and community clean-up activities.
Across the state, nearly 5,000 participants took part in 60 cleanliness drives, 30 rainwater harvesting initiatives, and 40 awareness campaigns, helping ease waterlogging, improve drainage, and strengthen community-level disease prevention.
Officials said the measures not only improved urban sanitation but also enhanced monsoon resilience and contributed significantly to public health across both towns and remote areas.