Dimapur Municipal Council identifies new dumping site

DIMAPUR — Against the backdrop of the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) directive to the Nagaland government to complete the shifting process of the Dimapur Municipal Council’s present waste dumping site within a year, the DMC on February 1 informed that it has identified a new site for the same.

DMC Administrator W Manpai Phom told Eastern Mirror that the municipal council has submitted the alternative site proposal to the state government for consideration.

The NGT, Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, had earlier directed the government to complete the shifting process of the municipal waste dumpsite located at Sunrise colony, Burma Camp, within one year – acquire land within six months and shift the dumpsite to a new location in another six months – by January 31, 2024.

The tribunal, in connection with the petition filed by the Sunrise Colony Council, Burma Camp, over a waste dumping site in the area, in its hearing on February 3, 2023, had directed the DMC to complete the construction of concrete slab for waste processing as well as linear drainage inside the periphery of the dumpsite and install CCTV cameras for monitoring of the dumpsite for any fire or untoward incident by May 31, 2024, while green belt and buffer zone should be created by September 30.

When Eastern Mirror visited the dumpsite which is said to be about 9 acre, it was observed that, as directed by the NGT, linear drainage inside the periphery of the dumpsite had already been constructed, with concrete slab for waste processing and remedial measures been taken up by the council.

The tribunal, in its order, had also directed the concerned authority to construct Effluent Treatment Plant and Feacal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) with higher capacity and complete them by May 31, 2024, while asking the state’s chief secretary to expedite the matter and ensure sanction of funds.

The order went on to state that “the present dumpsite shall be fenced completely with additional fence on the sides facing the River Dhansiri, ensuring that there is no contamination of solid and liquid wastes from the dumpsite in any manner with river water.” During the visit, it was also observed that high wall surrounding the area has been constructed.

The Sunrise colony had also requested the NGT to direct the DMC to relocate the dumpsite to a more appropriate place in conformity with the environmental norms, alleging that the present site violates the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, contaminating the groundwater resources and the Dhansiri river through leaching and, thereby having “a direct effect upon the life and health of the residents of the area including flora and fauna.”

The DMC administrator said that as per the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, the shifting process will take time as they have to follow procedures.

 And while the alternative site is under consideration of the government, he requested the public to understand the situation and procedural requirements.

He also updated that the council has proposed a project to the government on bio mining and legacy waste.

The caretaker of the dumpsite, who has been working at the site for near a decade, disclosed that on an average two cesspool vehicles, two dumper trucks, 14 small garbage trucks and eight tractors, come daily to dump waste till 4 pm.

Also, no unauthorised vehicles are allowed to enter the dumpsite, he said. 

Rag pickers, mostly young girls in groups, were seen rummaging through the garbage oblivious of the stench emitting all around.

Sunrise colony council chairman told this newspaper that with the ever-increasing population of the colony, there are high chances of citizens of the locality getting exposed to the harmful garbage pollution.

“The government should be responsible for the welfare of the people. If they are serious and sincere, they will definitely find a solution to our demand as since 2017 we have been requesting and demanding for shifting of the dumpsite from Sunrise colony,” he insisted.