Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 25
NAGALAND Chief Minister TR Zeliang today said that challenges related to water and sanitation will magnify in the future due to an ever growing urban population, needing to share already insufficient and poorly managed resources.
Launching the National Sanitation Awareness Campaign or ‘Swachh Bharat’ (Clean India), for Nagaland at Zonal Council Hall Kohima, Zeliang hoped that our state and this country will benefit immensely from this programme in terms of better public health and general cleanliness of our dwellings and environment.
Expressing that most of the urban poor tend to be excluded from these sanitation services, he said “this is the primary cause of water contamination and water-borne diseases”.
He said that improving the water and sanitation problem in an urban setting is not an easy task, as the required infrastructure, either new or upgraded, are restricted by already existing structures, such as roads or buildings.
“It must also be able to sustain future urban development and expansion,” he said, adding that this calls for strong legislation, guidelines, and building codes, which can only be instituted and monitored by national and local governments.
He also called upon the all tribal organisations, churches, village councils and the VDBs to be involved in implementation of this programme.
Capacity building for Anganwadi workers and school teachers may also be undertaken, he said while also suggesting that a simple guide book can be made, containing accurate and relevant messages, information and knowledge content, under various themes, such as, personal hygiene, use of toilets, safe storage and handling of water, hand washing after defecation, hand washing before and after taking food and environmental sanitation including management of waste etc.
Pointing that the introduction of cesspool service by the Kohima Municipal Council, had been providing a very good public service, he however lamented that there are still instances where some people open their septic tank during the monsoon rain, causing much discomfort to others which is unhygienic as well. “This needs to be addressed by the Department along with District Administration and the Municipal Council,” he said.
The key to achieve success of this campaign is to make it a peoples’ sanitation movement as the department alone cannot achieve the goal, Zeliang added.
Speaking as the guest of honour, Minister for PHED Noke Wangnao reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment of his government to achieve Clean India by 2019 as a tribute on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by eliminating the unhealthy practice of open defecation.
He expressed that the targets set for the state of Nagaland would be achieved, provided that the funds from the Government of India and state matching share are released regularly and timely.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Engineer of PHED, Kevisekho Kruse said that the awareness campaign commencing today would be held throughout the state and culminate on October 31.
“Sanitation and safe drinking water are key requirements for sustainable development and a good life,” he said while lamenting that sanitation often remains the most neglected area of human development, because it is often found at the bottom of agenda.
Sanitation has a strong connection with not only human Health but dignity & development, he said, adding that human excreta are one of the most dangerous sources and causes of poor health, environmental pollution, socio-economic burden and affects the overall livelihoods of human beings.
He said that the simplest way to protect human beings is to confine away excreta from human contact by constructing a sanitary toilet. “Sanitation also has to do with good sanitary and hygiene practices such that we save ourselves from the menace of diseases related to poor sanitation,” he added.
Chaired by PHED Secretary Anenla S. Longchari, the programme commenced with Pastor of City Church Kohima, Kedo Peseyie saying the invocation. WSSO PHED Director KG Sumi tendered the vote of thanks. Naga Idol 2007 Ruokuovotuo Pfusenuo and Kenei Chale presented special numbers.
