Nagaland: Ahead of Sept 18 plastic ban, ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign launched

PHED Minister, Jacob Zhimomi addressing the state launching programme of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ in Kohima on September 11. (Morung Photo)

 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 11 

The need to put a collective effort for a cleaner Nagaland through the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (Cleanliness is service) campaign was stressed on during the state launching programme of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ here today.

The state government had on June 17 this year issued a notification banning all single use plastics in the state. The ban will be effective from September 18, ahead of the October 2 deadline as envisaged and directed by the Central Government.

With the theme ‘Plastic waste Shramdaan’ (Plastic waste management), the campaign will continue till October 27. During the six week long campaign, large scale awareness and mass mobilization of plastic waste collection will be undertaken across the state.

Thangi Mannen, retired Commissioner & Secretary and Convenor, Zero Waste Himalaya Nagaland said that the campaignwill be taken up in 3 phases including clean & green drives, cleanliness pledges, cleanliness rallies etc, aimed at plastic waste  disposal.

Phase I (September 11 to October 1) is for preparatory and awareness generation period while phase II (October 2) will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi through mass social voluntary work of plastic waste collection. Phase III (October 3-27) will be marked by collection, segregation, transportation for recycling and disposal- leading to a plastic free Diwali.

 

Hygienic environment integral part of development

Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister, Jacob Zhimomi maintained that sanitation is a very crucial issue and clean and hygienic environment is an integral part of development.

He said that development is not only in term of having good houses, roads, bridges etc. but also includes a clean, hygienic environment, clean household and proper sanitation system. The Minister challenged all individuals to work towards taking the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign forward in the state. 

He meanwhile also stressed on the need to make urban sectors Open Defecation Free (ODF) as well. Towards this, Urban Development Joint Secretary, Elizabeth Ngully informed that the efforts are being made to declare urban areas ODF before October 2.

 
Towards a plastic free Nagaland

Mannen earlier said that the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign aims at fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream for a clean India by mobilizing the masses and reinforcing “Jan Andolan” or a movement for sanitation.

She stated that the campaign is celebrated annually since 2017, mobilizing millions of people in creating awareness on access to safe sanitation, toilet usage, triggering behavior change on cleanliness and Shramdaan (voluntary contribution/service) at public places.

During the period of Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, all states/UTs, will organize large scale citizen engagement activities for awareness generation and community mobilization through voluntary service. The activities will require the participation of all government departments/organizations in both the state and district levels, urban and rural areas, NGOs, individuals, business communities, religious institutions, schools, colleges etc.

Outcome indicators for the campaign include people's voluntary services/support to reduce plastic pollution/waste, assessment of the volume of plastic waste collected/disposed and recycled, replacement of plastic bags with cloth/jute bags, setting up plastic waste management units in various blocks etc.

 “To achieve this commitment we all must do our bit in bringing about life style changes, and make conscious efforts in our choices of everyday, to reduce and refuse plastic as much as possible,” Mannen said.