In alignment with the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Nagaland launched the “Har Ghar Tiranga, Har Ghar Swachhta” campaign at the PHED Directorate, Kohima, on August 8.
The programme was chaired by Er. Martemsu Timchen, SDO PHED, while the keynote address and campaign implementation overview was delivered by Er. Gwatilo Tep, Additional Chief Engineer and Managing Director, WSSO PHED.
Er. L Layang Khiamniungan, Chief Engineer PHED, spoke on the spiritual and practical significance of cleanliness, referencing Deuteronomy 23:12f to highlight the sanctity of maintaining clean surroundings. He led the Swachhata pledge and officially declared the campaign open.
In her closing remarks, Lhousokono Zinyü, Sanitation & Hygiene Consultant, WSSO PHED, reiterated the department’s commitment to promoting hygiene and sanitation across communities.
As part of the outreach initiative, the PHED Directorate team visited Government Middle School, Phezoucha, Kohima, where ‘Swachhata talks’ were conducted to sensitize students on water quality monitoring and water conservation.
Kohima Rural Division conducts clean-up
In a related initiative, Kohima Rural Division, in collaboration with the District Administration Tseminyu, Kithagha Students’ Union, and Tseminyu District Green Initiatives, conducted a community clean-up and plastic waste segregation drive at the Plastic Waste Management Unit (PWMU), Chunlikha Block.
The programme was graced by Additional Deputy Commissioner and Convenor of Tseminyu Green District Initiatives, Kikumsungla Jamir, as the special guest. In her address, she stated that “Har Ghar Tiranga, Har Ghar Swachhta” is a joint initiative of the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and Ministry of Culture, launched as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations. She urged village leaders, councils, and students to adopt cleanliness and reduce plastic waste at its source.
District Coordinator, PHED Kohima Division, Ashale Seb, delivered a talk on types of plastics and waste management practices. She highlighted the dual nature of plastic—its utility and its environmental hazards—and stressed the importance of segregation at source to separate recyclable and non-recyclable plastics.
Co-Convenor of Tseminyu Green District Initiatives, Zukeya Woch, spoke on Clean and Green Initiatives, emphasizing that true cleanliness involves preventing plastic waste from polluting backyards, streams, and rivers. He called for collective efforts from government agencies, NGOs, student bodies, youth groups, and Church organizations to achieve green model villages.
Following the formal programme, volunteers carried out clean-up and segregation activities along nearby streams, highway stretches, and public areas. A truckload of plastic waste was collected and stored at the PWMU, Chunlikha Block. However, the total weight could not be measured due to the absence of a weighing machine.