Achumbemo Kikon reviewed sanitation challenges in Meluri, urging local leaders to act on waste management and highlighting the significance of the upcoming COP31.
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DIMAPUR — Achumbemo Kikon, chairman of the Environment and Climate Change Committee and MLA, held a review meeting with officials from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner and the Meluri Town Council to discuss sanitation and waste disposal challenges in Meluri on Wednesday.
He stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing issue affecting Nagaland, and collective action is needed to address it, stated a press release.
Kikon highlighted the upcoming COP31 – 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, stating that global cooperation is crucial in tackling climate change. "As we prepare for COP31, we must recognise our role in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts," he said.
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Kikon urged local leaders to sensitise residents and set examples for surrounding villages, especially as rural-to-urban migration increases. He noted that sanitation falls squarely within the town council's democratic mandate and advised officials to focus on dustbin placement, segregation, and safe disposal rather than allowing waste to accumulate.
The MLA also visited the town's dumping site, getting a firsthand look at the waste management challenges. Following the visit, he directed officials to identify a suitable site for a segregation and processing facility, pointing out the need for a structured sanitation plan.
Officials briefed Kikon on the challenges they face, including manpower shortages, limited vehicles, lack of segregation sites, and funding delays. They also noted that solid waste is transported at high cost due to no treatment facilities in Meluri.
Additionally, the town lacks cesspool facilities for liquid and faecal waste, forcing the municipality to depend on makeshift alternatives. Narrow approach roads leading into several colonies have restricted waste collection vehicles from accessing certain pockets of the town, resulting in accumulated waste and delays in clearing.
Kikon assured joint follow-up with the Municipal Affairs Department and stressed the need for on-the-spot action. He stated, "If we take action on the spot, leaders take it seriously. If we only talk at the table, things do not move."