The Environmentally Conscious Children’s Organisation (ECCO), Sociology students of St Joseph College Jakhama and Green Team Kohima together with Kohima Smart City (KSC) and Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) organized a clean up on February 29, along the National Highway stretch from Classic Junction to TCP Gate Junction.
A press release from KSC CEO Kovi Meyase stated that, total of 45 students from St Joseph and 9 ECCO Kids joined the Green Team volunteers and picked up litter along the sidewalks and the drains. Volunteers and students reported of drains filled with 1 litre mineral water bottles and garbage and opined that citizens should find dustbins to throw waste and not clog the drains.
Apart from the mineral water bottles, 70% of the litter collected had tobacco wrappers which are a matter of concern and perhaps need to be addressed through awareness campaigns. Volunteers however observed that single use plastic waste has reduced to a large extent.
St Joseph College students expressed that the clean up was a good experience and an eye opener for them in keeping the city clean. Students opined that if everyone chips in and do their part by taking responsibility of one’s own waste than town sweepers or social works would not be necessary. Jentina Yaomei Shangkhu, 12 year old student of Little Flower Higher Secondary School and founder of ECCO Kids remarked that, “Little efforts will lead to big change.”
Indisen village: CGST Dimapur Commissionerate conducted a cleanliness drive in collabation with Indisen village community, Dimapur on February 29, under the theme, from “plastic waste management”, attended by the volunteers and village council members of the village and officers of CGST Dimapur.
Pfutsero: A cleanliness drive on single use plastic was also held at Pfutsero town on February 28 under the initiative of ADC Pfutsero in collaboration with Officers Club Pfutsero division. According to DIPR report, the officers cleaned plastic waste in and around Pfutsero town. All the heads of various departments at Pfutsero division participated in the cleanliness drive. Monthly departmental co-ordination meeting for the month of February was also held at ADC Pfutsero conference hall.