A garbage-clogged drain seen here at Marwari Pati in Dimapur, August 11. Nagaland and her citizens continue to be challenged by the idea of civic sense and hygiene. (Sorei Mahong/ Photo)
Emilo Khuvung
Kohima | August 11
Monsoon is here and one can already see garbage spilling onto roads from clogged drainages, offensive smell from the release of septic tanks and overflowing garbage bins across Nagaland. The question that still remains is how Nagaland could remain so dirty, even as state machineries like the municipal councils are doing their best to keep the towns clean – concerned citizens have only one answer: Lack of civic sense.
“Whatever we do, whatever effort the government agencies does to make the town clean, unless the people know where to dump their waste materials in the right place, then there will always be garbage in the town,” said Sangkong, an entrepreneur in Mokokchung. Saying that people should have civic sense, Sangkong cited the habit of dumping waste materials into ‘nullahs,’ and clogging them. “Nullahs are meant for flowing of water, not for dumping waste materials,” he reminded.
Another citizen of the town, Lima, said that if each household could keep their surroundings clean, there would be cleanliness in the town, as the state machineries like the municipals can take care of the roads and other public places. Just about a week ago, Nagaland government had called for a mass cleaning drive in the state for the Independence Day celebrations. Although people came out in huge numbers and took active part in the drive, the question of making the state into a cleaner and hygienic one remains a question to be answered.
It is worth mentioning that municipal councils and town councils many at times are accused of being inactive in emptying, for instance, garbage bins. However unless self-realization comes, maintaining cleanliness is out of question. Just recently, it was reported that Kohima town releases 40-50 metric tons of garbage every day, and that the Kohima Municipal Council is facing problems disposing the waste, with limited resources and manpower.
No wonder, Kohima Municipal Council must be the one facing the toughest problem to keep the town clean. ADC & Administrator of KMC Alun Hansing said good health can never be achieved without proper sanitation, which starts from every individual. The seven trucks that run every morning and evening seems to make little dent on the town. Also, urinal sheds constructed in the main town areas in Kohima are the most “complicated” to maintain. Thanks to poor public co-operation, they are being planned to be demolished.
Citizens should not always depend on the administration, municipal councils or town councils alone to call for sanitation, it is felt.
A senior citizen of Kohima said proper drainage system or disciplined approach to waste dispositions, not using packing materials may help improve sanitation. He opined that sanitation in and around hospitals should be maintained as hospital waste is one of the biggest threats to human health. He strongly asserted that there should be total ban of piggery farming in all inhabited areas as it creates effects the entire town.
MS Chang, from Dimapur, said that for a habituated person, it is a routine to clean surroundings every morning. However the disappointment is the plastic materials flying everywhere, public toilets are choked with plastic covers for instance. Chang also alleged that the district administration should direct businessman to keep their surroundings clean.
ADC Wokha of Athel O. Lotha reminded that as long as ‘civic sense’ is not in oneself, it will be difficult to keep town clean. Lotha asserted that it might also be due to lack of awareness that results in unhygienic living. “Contaminated water that is consumed may result in water-borne diseases including viral hepatitis, typhoid, cholera, dysentery and other diseases that cause diarrhea”, said Athel Lotha. Civic sense begins from the kitchen and public should feel as self property be it for public or government’s property, she added.
Entrepreneurs Associate coordinator Neichute Doulo said civic sense needs to be improved. He said many young boys and girls, finely dressed and spitting without care, throwing wrappers around, family throwing garbage out of windows has become a traditional practice for Nagas which is very disheartening to see, said Doulo. He said cleanliness starts from the family and people should know that small contributions bring big changes in society.
Many blame poor sanitation in the state on the government, while some blame it on the public. however one thing remains for sure – the state is quite dirty and Nagas need to try to keep it clean, perhaps a little civic sense on the part of the individual society would go a long way in this regard.
(With Inputs from Longrangty Longchar)
