Dr N Janbemo Humtsoe
Climate Reality Leader, Wokha
The Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP) area is one of the most picturesque places in Nagaland. When one visits the DHEP area, the first impression is not always the dam, the spillways, powerhouse or turbines, but its sheer beauty. On any clear day, the wideexpanse of water, the green surroundings, the gentle hills, and the quiet stillness of the landscape captivate every visitor.Each October-November, when thousands of Amur falcons arrive, Doyang transforms into more than just a power project; it becomes an ecological landmark and a gift of nature to be treasured.
Yet, beneath this beauty, plastic pollution has become a huge challenge which threatens to erode both its ecological health and economic potential.Located just around 20 km from Wokha and 35 km from Golaghat, Doyang is strategically located to become a significant tourism hub of the state. However, despite its immense potential, the site remains underutilized due to limited investment by both public and private sectors in tourism-related infrastructure and recreational facilities.
Commissioned in 2000, the plant has been producing power for the past 25 years, igniting homes with electricity and also generating revenue for NEEPCO as well as the state government. However, with limited investment and facilities in tourism related areas, the area’s vast potential to attract people and generate income for locals is left untapped.This is more than just a missed economic opportunity; it is a missed opportunity to transform lives. Tourism has the power to create livelihoods for ordinary families: a homestay run by a local household, a canoe ride managed by youth groups, a restaurant serving indigenous dishes, or cultural performances that connect visitors with Naga heritage. For many young people, tourism development in Doyang could mean meaningful jobs close to home.
Therefore, from an economic point of view, Doyang has the capacity to generate substantial revenue for both the state and local communities. Tourism development in the area could diversify the local economy, create employment opportunities, and encourage entrepreneurship. Activities such as water and adventure sports, eco-lodges and campsites along the reservoir, bird and wildlife tourism,and cultural showcases could be introduced to attract a wider range of visitors while providing sustainable livelihoods for local residents. In addition, good roads and reliable transport are the backbone of tourism. No matter how beautiful or unique a place is, visitors can only enjoy it if they can reach it safely and comfortably. Better connectivity not only attracts tourists but also opens opportunities for the local communities, giving them access to markets.
The Threat of Plastic Pollution.
Every monsoon, when the rains arrive and the rivers swell, the rivers bring not only life-giving waters but also a tide of plastic waste, washed down from upstream towns and cities. This has become an annual recurrence. Bottles, wrappers, and other plastic debris travel long distances before finally accumulating in the reservoir. Over time, these plastics break down into smaller fragments, contaminating the water body and becoming harmful microplastics. Some waste settles in the reservoir, while much of it is carried further downstream, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and contributing to the larger crisis of ocean pollution.
The Doyang reservoir is more than just a body of water; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. For the fishermen, it is their lifeline, their source of livelihood and pride. But plastic waste is wreaking havoc on their lives. It is clogging their nets, reducing fish populations, and polluting their breeding grounds. For the visitors, it is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy nature. But the floating debris is taking away its charm, and with it the livelihoods of those who welcome tourists. And for nature itself, it is a sanctuary, home to fish, birds, and the majestic Amur falcons that soar through the skies every October and November. To let plastic poison such a place would be an environmental disaster, a loss of a rare gift from nature and an economic loss for many people.
Whose responsibility?
NEEPCO may say it is the towns upstream that is causing the problem. The upstream municipalities may say the pollution is not in their jurisdiction. And the local citizens may just shrug and blame it on the government. And so, the same thing happens every year. But we cannot continue to turn a blind eye or treat it as someone else’s responsibility. If we continue to look away, a day will come when the fish yield will decrease, the tourists may stop coming, and the immense economic opportunities may be lost.
Plastic pollution is a challenge of our own making, and its solution lies in shared responsibility. As the custodian and operator of the plant, NEEPCO cannot remain indifferent to these growing environmental concerns. With its resources, it can take the lead by installing floating barriers, conducting regular clean-ups, and removing debris, not only to safeguard electricity generation but also as a meaningful act of corporate social responsibility. Secondly, upstreamMunicipalitiesmust prevent the waste from reaching rivers in the first place. This means strengthening the waste collection, banning littering along riverbanks, and installing trash traps in drains and river outlets.And finally, communities and citizens must embrace change in our behaviors. Each plastic bag thrown into a drain, each bottle left on a riverbank, contributes to this crisis.By choosing to reduce plastic use, and join clean-up efforts, we can all play a part in protecting the reservoir, leaving behind a healthier environment for generations to come.
If we all act responsibly, we can restore our reservoirs to what they should be: clear waters that generateelectricity and support livelihood. If we do not, then year after year, the monsoon will remind us of our negligence until the riversbear the scars of our inaction.Ultimately, Doyang tells us two stories. The first is a warning: plastic pollution, often carried from distant urban centers, shows how human negligence travels across boundaries, harming environment that sustain both people and nature. The second is a story of possibility: with vision and care, Doyang can become both a model of conservation and a thriving eco-tourism hub.
