Chairman of the Environment and Climate Change Committee and MLA Achumbemo Kikon held a review meeting with officials from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner and the Meluri Town Council to discuss pressing sanitation and waste disposal challenges in Meluri. He emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing issue affecting Nagaland, and collective action is needed to address it.
Kikon highlighted the upcoming COP31 – 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, stressing that global cooperation is crucial in tackling climate change. “As we prepare for COP31, we must recognize our role in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts,” he said.
He urged local leaders to sensitize residents and set examples for surrounding villages, especially as rural-to-urban migration increases. Kikon stressed 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 to get a firsthand look at waste management challenges. Following the visit, he directed officials to identify a suitable site for a segregation and processing facility, emphasizing 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 noted that solid waste is transported at high cost due to the absence of treatment facilities in Meluri. Additionally, the town lacks cesspool facilities for liquid and fecal waste, forcing reliance on makeshift alternatives. Narrow approach roads into several colonies restrict waste collection vehicles, resulting in accumulated waste and delays in clearing.
Kikon assured joint follow-up with the Municipal Affairs Department and emphasized the need for immediate action. “If we take action on the spot, leaders take it seriously. If we only talk at the table, things do not move,” he stated.