Kohima: Environmental scientists in Nagaland are issuing a stark warning. Dimapur and Kohima failed national air quality standards. Both cities now hold a non-attainment status. Aghali A Swu, a senior environmental engineer at the Nagaland Pollution Control Board, says the climate is changing faster than anyone predicted.
Swu spoke at a workshop for journalists in Dimapur on September 7. The event aligned with the International Day of Clean Air and Blue Skies 2026. She tracked 17 years of data. Hill stations are getting hotter. Spring wells and waterfalls in Zunheboto are drying up. In Dimapur, groundwater levels are crashing. Drillers have hit dry holes even after sinking borewells 600 feet deep.
The threat is global. Swu pointed to flash floods in Nepal and a University of Michigan study. That report claims India could see its groundwater depletion rate triple by 2080. Poor waste management is making it worse. Bad habits hurt air, water, and soil quality. The NPCB is pushing for better compliance with e-waste, battery, and hazardous waste regulations.
The gap in public knowledge remains a massive hurdle. Residents often ignore the laws. "Many people are still not aware about the existence of these various waste management rules," Swu said. Dimapur Press Club Vice President Bendangchuba Kichu agrees. He challenged his peers to stop waiting for catastrophes before reporting on the environment. Protecting the planet is everyone's job.
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