The District Administration, Dimapur in Collaboration with Kevijau Women Organisation organised a workshop on Waste Management and Composting methods as alternative to burning of wastes under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on 24th September 2025 at Kevijau Colony, Dimapur. The event aimed to promote sustainable waste disposal practices and encourage community participation in household and community waste management in effort to mitigate air pollution specially those generated by burning of waste. The programme was chaired by A. Obangmenla Jamir, President of Kevijau Women’s Organisation (KWO).
Delivering the keynote address, Imlijungla, EAC Dimapur, stressed the urgent need to adopt eco-friendly waste management practices to combat rising pollution levels. She remarked that clean air is the most basic need for a healthy life, yet it remains under constant threat from vehicles, industries, waste burning, and other human activities. She highlighted that the NCAP, launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India in 2019 seeks to reduce air pollution (especially particulate matter) by 2026.
“The success of NCAP depends on collective effort—government, local bodies, and most importantly, the people. Real change begins when each citizen takes responsibility: by avoiding waste burning, keeping our surroundings clean, planting trees, and making small but meaningful lifestyle changes,” she stated. She further encouraged the community to act together, saying, “The change we hope for begins within our own community. We must first reduce the waste within ourselves—our habits, our negligence—and then extend that effort to our surroundings.”
She also highlighted the upcoming Run 4 Green marathon organised by DMC in collaboration with the District Administration, Dimapur, Development Authority, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Nagaland Pollution Control Board, and the National Youth Climate Consortium with Partner NGOs including Team Better Dimapur, Can Youth, and Pro-Rural, has announced that the Marathon will be held on 27th September, to give awareness issues such as air pollution, urban heating and flood issues and greening Dimapur as a means to mitigate the rising issues.
Speaking on the importance of waste segregation, Adrian, Consultant from Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), emphasized that burning waste is harmful to all. Instead, he said, waste should be transformed into a resource through proper segregation. “Every household can contribute by separating wet and dry waste. Not everything should go into the same bin. If we take responsibility and teach one another, we can turn waste into wealth and build a cleaner, healthier Dimapur,” he said. He also pointed out that the DMC spends about ₹48 lakhs every month on labour, drivers, and diesel for waste management, yet waste has the potential to generate revenue if handled properly.
The technical session was led by the Life Ministry Learning Centre, which demonstrated composting techniques as a sustainable alternative to open burning of waste.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Kesovonou, General Secretary of KWO, while the invocation was offered by Aliang Zeiliang.
(Limatoshi, IA Dimapur)