Kohima: Dimapur Municipal Council suspended all garbage collection four months ago. The move left residents in Aoyimti, Padumpukhri, Chekiye, and Indisen villages to manage trash on their own. Council leaders originally shuttered the main landfill on March 30 after it hit capacity. They offered a one-time extension until April 30, but collections never returned.
The Aoyimti Village Council chairman confirmed the search for a new disposal site is still in progress. He told residents to manage waste within their own compounds for now. Many families have turned to burning non-recyclable trash to cope with the mounting pile. Others dump waste in local canals or scramble to find temporary drop-off points. A 19-year-old student expressed "the guilt of having to burn plastic waste" as locals attempt to time their fires for late at night or early morning.
Dr. Moanaro Ao, a researcher at the National Institute of Technology Nagaland, warns the situation is a public health disaster. She notes that uncollected trash draws rats, flies, and mosquitoes. These pests carry diseases like dengue, malaria, and diarrhoea. Burning plastic and mixed waste releases toxic chemicals into the air. Such pollutants trigger respiratory issues and long-term illness in children and the elderly. Dr. Ao said, "Waste management begins at home." She encourages residents to stop using single-use items and start composting. She also urged the local government to build recycling centers and transfer stations rather than relying solely on landfills.
Comments