Nagaland’s Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen on Thursday directed all government departments to urgently implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, warning that failure to comply with the new statutory framework and Supreme Court directives could result in serious legal repercussions for the state and accountable officials.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Kohima, Imchen said compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on January 27 and effective from April 1, is not optional but a legal mandate.
The meeting was convened in light of the Supreme Court’s directions in Civil Appeal No. 6174 of 2023, which places direct accountability on concerned authorities for lapses in implementation.
Imchen stressed that all departments must act with urgency, cautioning that failure to comply with both the Rules and court directives could expose the state to serious legal consequences.
He directed departments to develop a comprehensive roadmap and time-bound action plans in coordination with district administrations, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), and local communities to ensure effective implementation across Nagaland.
Underscoring the gravity of the issue, Imchen said the Supreme Court order has made accountability central, holding responsible officers and authorities liable for non-compliance.
Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Y Kikheto Sema, also emphasized the need for public awareness, segregation at source, convergence and stronger inter-departmental coordination.
He said timely compliance with the court order, along with active collaboration between departments and local bodies, would be essential for effective planning, execution and monitoring of the new waste management framework.
The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 supersede the 2016 Rules and are expected to significantly reshape Nagaland’s approach to waste segregation, disposal, environmental sustainability and local governance accountability.
The meeting was attended by Administrative Heads of Departments (AHoDs) and Heads of Departments (HoDs), signaling what could become one of the state’s most significant compliance-driven environmental governance pushes in recent years.
