Flowers planted, CCTV planned, and volunteers on duty to keep Mokokchung clean
For years, the stretch near the Mokokchung Police Point on the way to Mokokchung village was infamously known as a dumping spot. Despite repeated interventions by the town committee and municipal authorities, residents often continued to dispose waste there, making it one of the most persistent sanitation challenges in the town.
This September, however, the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) took a new approach under the Swachhta Hai Seva Mission, which runs from September 17 to October 2 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
MMC Councillor Imlikumzuk Kichu, who is in charge of sanitation, told Mokokchung Times that after discussions with the MMC Chairman, responsibility for the site was handed over to the church youth ministries of Alongmen and Dilong wards, as the location falls under Alongmen ward and the two wards share a combined youth ministry.
“The youths have planted flowers in the dumping site today,” Kichu said. “Youths nearby have also been volunteering to stand on duty every night so that they can stop people from dumping waste. People are now slowly becoming aware, and even if some turn up, the volunteers are able to turn them away — and the citizens cooperate too.”
He added that a CCTV camera will also be installed, while the upkeep of the flowers will be taken care of by youths from the two local churches. “When we reached out to them, they were very willing to do it, so we are very happy,” he said.
Meanwhile, citizens have echoed the appeal for responsible waste disposal. Along K Ao, through his community social media platforms, called on residents — particularly shopkeepers and those around the Town Square — to cooperate with ongoing beautification efforts.
“As part of this effort, a beautification project is currently underway at the old garbage collection point near the Town Square Taxi Parking,” Ao wrote. “Therefore, I humbly appeal to everyone concerned to kindly refrain from dumping garbage at the said location and to cooperate in keeping our town clean and beautiful.”
He further reminded that the Town Square is the face of Mokokchung, frequented by residents, travelers, and tourists alike, and its upkeep reflects “our collective sense of discipline, cleanliness, and civic pride.”
