‘The Himalayan Cleanup’ continues in Nagaland

DIMAPUR, May 30 (MExN): Several parts of the State joined ‘The Himalayan Cleanup (THC) in solidarity and stewardship to rise up against plastic pollution along with thousands of volunteers across the Indian Himalayan region on May 28.

With ‘Reflect, Switch and Demand’ as the theme, THC is a clarion call to beat plastic pollution and replenish the ecosystem, to motivate participants to move towards mindful and sustainable lifestyles.

The programme at Chizami was organized by Chizami Students Union (CSU) in collaboration with the pioneers Integrated Mountain Initiative and Zero Waste Himalaya.

At the local level, the partners include North East Network, Chizami Village Council (CVC) and various local institutions such as Village Development Board, 6 Khels, Women Society, Youth Society, WATSAN Committee, Sacred Heart Parish and School Management Committee (SMC).

187 participants were divided into 6 Khels throughout the village covering about 1.5 km and 3 springs led by volunteers – orientation specific for strategizing and processes of segregation, branding and auditing of waste was conducted by CSU before the event.

A consultative meeting with all the partners was also undertaken to brainstorm, effectively plan and execute the initiative.
The data collected from the waste segregation shows the top polluters were Polyethylene tetraphthalate (PET) & unknown plastics, particularly food packaging and household products.

One of the alarming findings is the increased consumerism in tobacco products at the grassroot level, CSU stated.

It also brought to the forefront the waste crisis in rural communities, the significance of social responsibility and the urgent need for an enabling environment with proper facilities for waste management; for which governments, agencies and communities must partner to address the burning issue, the CSU stated.

THC is beyond cleanup and transportation – through its waste and brand audit aims to contribute to the much needed change in the waste narrative, challenge the notions of a clean, pristine Himalaya and advocate for systemic changes.

Wewakhro-u Thopi said, “We must all take care of our own waste and I request everyone to manage your own waste and not throw in public spaces. I pledge to take care of my environment and own waste.”

Eniku Naro meanwhile informed that they have cleaned the springs and mostly found single used plastics around the spring area. “We must keep our springs clean because we use the water for drinking and domestic purposes. We must educate and also make waste bins at the spring sites,” Naro said. “I have been part of THC since 2018, and found that the waste generated has reduced in my colony. People are becoming more conscious and managing their own wastes.

However, disposal of waste management at the community level is still an issue and needs collective action,” said Wekhrote-u Lohe.

The programme was organized as a step towards safeguarding mountains and in lieu with the Clean Chizami Campaign.

This year, THC is even more critical with 175 nations endorsing a global draft policy to end plastic pollution, the single use plastic bans in India from July 1, 2022 and the Extended Producer Responsibility notification by the Government of India, according to CSU Media Secretary, Menule Chirhah.

The Pfutsero Town Chakhesang Students’ Union (PTCSU) meanwhile also joined ‘The Himalayan Cleanup’ on May 28. A press release from the PTCSU informed that various institutions from Pfutsero town joined the movement. The union selected Glory Peak as the site for the cleanup.

After the cleanup, the students had a short gathering. Truvi Rhi, an official of the PTCSU briefed on the cleanup and stressed on the importance of joining hands towards the initiative, to show concern and solidarity towards the mountain.

Rhi further stressed on the objective of THC, where an audit needs to be done on various types of waste and find out the brands and companies which are polluting the environment the most and address those issues to the concerned authority and at the right platform. “The climate is changing rapidly and one needs to be aware and take care of the environment stalling with a small step,” he said.

PTCSU President, Kekhro Mero thanked the students for turning up actively towards the cause. He appealed the students to keep up the social responsibility and work together in the days to come.

The PTCSU meanwhile found out that the multilayer plastics have contributed maximum of waste to the peak.

Mopungchuket village under Mokokchung district also participated in the Himalayan Cleanup on May 28 where volunteers numbering about 100 participated in waste segregation and auditing. The volunteers cleaned the streets of the village, Süngkotenem Park and Mangkolong picnic spot.

A total of 214 kgs of waste were collected, out of which 125 kgs were plastics including PET bottles, multi layered plastics, straws and other household plastic wastes. The non-plastic items, which comprised the remaining 89 kgs were mostly paper and metal wastes. 115kgs of recyclable wastes were recovered.

The cleanup and waste audit was conducted under the initiative of The Greensight Project. It may be mentioned that the village has been participating in The Himalayan Cleanup since its first edition in 2018.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/the-himalayan-cleanup-continues-in-nagaland