A meeting of the Air Quality Monitoring Committee (AQMC) was held on 29th November 2024, chaired by E. Mhonbemo Patton, Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Nagaland. The meeting emphasized to maintain clean air is a responsibility of all and to educate and create awareness to everyone was necessary. It was decided in the meeting that the Nagaland Pollution Control Board shall provide weekly air quality data for publishing across all media platforms for a larger awareness generation.

Chairing the meeting E. Mhonberno Patton, Principal Secretary, Department of EF&CC, welcomed the Officers gathered. Mhonbemo Patton queried whether there were any scientific studies done to find out the main causes of air pollution in Kohima and Dimapur. It was pointed out that a study was being done for Kohima by NIT Chumoukedima which is expected to be completed by next year. The Principal Secretary called for the need for a scientific study to be carried out for Dimapur as well and highlighted the importance to identify and record the main causes of air pollution in Nagaland and how such a study can translate into major policy decisions to tackle air pollution. On the need for spreading awareness, Patton mentioned that maintaining clean air was a responsibility of all and to educate everyone was a necessity.

The Member Secretary, Nagaland Pollution Control Board, K. Hukato Chishi, briefed the officers about the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and its objectives. The Member Secretary mentioned that 14 departments were involved in carrying out NCAP and that 2 (two districts in Nagaland were placed under "non- attainment city"- Kohima and Dimapur.

A PowerPoint presentation was presented by Scientist 'B', Nagaland Pollution Control Board, Yanathung Kithan, wherein it was mentioned that NPCB has been monitoring the air quality in Kohima and Dimapur for more than 15 years and that the districts of Kohima and Dimapur were placed under "non-attainment city" in 2019. He further pointed out that there are 7 (seven) air quality monitoring stations in Dimapur in residential as well as commercial areas. The reports from 2020 till 2023 show an increasing trend in worsening air quality in Dimapur. It was also mentioned that there are 4 (four) air quality monitoring stations in Kohima and that the reports of Kohima show an improvement from 2020 to 2023, however the results for Kohima are beyond permissible limits.

Deputy Director, Municipal Affairs Department, Wachusie Katiry mentioned that the funds of NCAP for Municipal Affairs go directly to the Urban local Bodies (ULBs) and that the Department is unaware of the activities carried out by the JIBs. The Principal Secretary requested the Municipal Affairs Department to get information from the ULBs and apprise the Committee on the activities carried out.

E.E.-I. UEW, Urban Development Department, Keneizezo apprised the Committee that under NCAP potholes were repaired in 5 (five) locations, banners on NCAP were put up.

Transport Department represented by DTO (HQ), Arenbo Peter and ARTO Kohima, Purnungsang Longkumer mentioned that the Department had bought 2 (two) mobile testing vehicles and that so far on testing private vehicles 261 were declared 'Passed' while 26 vehicles were declared 'Failed'. It was mentioned that the penalty was Rs. 300 for Diesel vehicles and Rs. 200 for Petrol vehicles. The Principal Secretary called on the need to increase surveillance of vehicles to check on air pollution.

It was decided that the member secretary, NPCB will request the Director DIPR for daily/ weekly publication of Air Quality across various media platforms.

Member Secretary, Nagaland Pollution Control Board, K. Hukato Chishi, requested all the concerned Departments to provide information to be uploaded to the portal of the Ministry including bills, UCs on time. The Departments were informed that the Ministry will not be releasing funds for 2024-25 until Datas are uploaded.

The Principal Secretary also requested the NPCB to request the District Administration and other Departments to submit information regarding activities earned out by them under NCAP. The Municipal Affairs Department was also entrusted to collect information from the ULBs including before and after pictures of the activities carried out by them.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from the Chair.

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY FOR KOHIMA AND DIMAPUR CITY

(DIPR)