A Workshop cum Training Session on Waste Management & Ban on Single-Use Plastic was held on the 25th of July 2023 at the Council Hall, Sovima Village. The event was organized by the Tribal Welfare Society in collaboration with the Nagaland Pollution Control Board.

Speaking at the program, K. Hukato Chishi, IFS, Member Secretary of NPCB, emphasized that waste management can be overcomed if we know the right way of disposing it and stop using single-use plastic bags, while also making necessary changes to our lifestyle. He highlighted the adverse impacts of littered single-use plastic items on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including marine environments. Addressing pollution due to single-use plastic items has become an important environmental challenge confronting all countries.

He also stressed the need to raise awareness among others and emphasized that the success of the ban on single-use plastic will only be possible through effective engagement and concerted actions by all stakeholders, along with enthusiastic public participation, as envisioned by the Ministry.

During the welcome address, Sebastian Zumvü spoke on the theme "Grow Tree, Plant Tree" and shared that they planted a thousand trees last year and also imposed a ban on hunting, resulting in improvements in the village. He expressed the desire for the department to provide further guidance on waste management and the ban on single-use plastic. Additionally, he urged the government to adopt Sovima village as a model village.

(Limatoshi I.A, Dimapur)