Awardees seen with the Special Guest and Officials during the KMC Best and Cleanest Ward Award ceremony cum Pre-Christmas celebration at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 11
Nagaland with a smaller population, does not generate much waste as compared to other states, remarked Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs on Monday wherein, in this context, he also cited that proper waste management depends a lot on the citizens.
Addressing the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) Annual Best and Cleanest Ward Award and Pre-Christmas celebration at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, he regretted that the state is lagging far behind and waste management is worse in urban areas than in rural areas.
Towards this end, he also highlighted that the decision to award the cleanest ward was a cabinet decision not with the intention to fight over the prize but to create awareness and encourage community involvement towards sanitation and a clean environment. Particularly citing Kohima as the state capital and Dimapur as the commercial hub, he said, it is essential to give awards to encourage them and create awareness.
Administrator of KMC, T Lanusenla Longkumer stated that the word ‘best’ has been added to the ‘cleanest’ ward award this year as it is not just the cleanest but the award has been finalised based on a yearlong assessment by the area in-charge. Besides this, she said, a special category has also been included to recognise special contributions from various colonies that are doing better than the rest, NGOs, and SHGs.
“This is to encourage everyone to work towards a more liveable, healthier and cleaner Kohima. As people and citizens living in Kohima, it is our responsibility to keep the town clean”, she asserted.
Pelenuo, Founder of Züb Züb India, who also spoke on the occasion, said they were able to reach out to 5800 households out of 23000 households in Kohima creating awareness on waste management and waste segregation.
Meanwhile, Assistant chief inspector of KMC, Neilhouphrelie informed that they took into consideration various criteria to award the best and cleanest ward. The criteria were general cleanliness, drainage cleanliness, social work, sanitation fees, cleaning and maintenance of sanitation vehicles, meeting attendance, innovative ideas, government projects and decorations during festivities.
Ward No. 17 (Agri, Forest and Electrical) bagged the first position in the ‘Best and Cleanest Ward Award’ while Ward No. 9 (Midland) and Ward No. 10- Hospital were adjudged second and third respectively. The Awards comprising of cash prize, a running trophy, and a certificate each were given to the best three by the Advisor.
The Cleanest Shop Award 2023 was awarded to TT Stationeries, Bayavü (first), Storage Hardware, Pezielietsie (second), and Sushil Pan Shop, Phoolbari (third). The Kohima Municipal Council also acknowledged the contributions of Ao Kaketshir Telongjem, Kohima, an SHG, DBS College, Kohima NSS, and Forest Colony, Kohima.
