Regional workshop on Public Health

NE states discuss water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges under NeVolution initiative

A Regional Workshop on Public Health & WASH for North Eastern States, a NeVolution initiative, was held on Wednesday at Town Hall, Zone Niathu by the Park, Chümoukedima, in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Government of Nagaland.

The workshop served as a platform to address key challenges in water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management, with a focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6—universal access to clean water and sanitation.

Discussions centered on three key pillars:
· Swachh North East – Sanitation, Solid & Liquid Waste Management
· Swajal North East – Water Quality, Biological & Chemical Contaminants
· Swasth North East – Public Health Implications of WASH

Nagaland’s progress on water and sanitation
Speaking as a special guest, Jacob Zhimomi, Minister for Public Health Engineering and Co-operation, highlighted that 92.76% of rural households in Nagaland have been provided with Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Out of 3,63,829 rural households, 3,37,498 have access to tap water, with the remaining 26,331 households targeted for completion by March 2025.

He further noted that Nagaland has certified 643 villages as Har Ghar Jal out of 1,033 reported, with certification for the rest in progress. JJM is being implemented in convergence with the Rural Development Department (RDD) under the 15th Finance Commission (15FC) Tied Grant award.

For 2025-26, the state plans to saturate all remaining villages with:
· Solid Waste Management in 549 villages
· Grey Water Management in 518 villages
· Plastic Waste Management Units in 16 Blocks
· Faecal Sludge Management systems in 6 Blocks

The Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for 2025-26 has been presented to the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, with an estimated budget of:
· Rs 5,566.27 lakh for SBMG
· Rs 3,581.86 lakh for FFC Tied Grants
· Rs 5,111.40 lakh for MGNREGS

Challenges in rural development

Addressing the gathering, Minister for Rural Development and SIRD, Metsubo Jamir, highlighted infrastructural gaps, resource constraints, and lack of technical expertise as key hurdles in Nagaland’s development, particularly in rural areas. He pointed out that the North Eastern Region’s diverse socio-cultural fabric, geographical challenges, and traditional practices often slow down developmental efforts.

Jamir stressed the need for poverty alleviation programs to be tailored to local needs and regional challenges rather than applying a uniform approach across the country.

Aspirational blocks and ODF Plus status
On the Aspirational Block Program, Zhimomi noted that Akuhaito Block in Zunheboto district has achieved 100% ODF Plus status. While infrastructures in the other two aspirational blocks have been completed, the rigorous marking system on the IMIS platform has slowed progress in declaring them ODF Plus.

At the inaugural session, Yugal Joshi, Program Director, NITI Aayog, delivered an address on “Accelerating Public Health (WASH) Outcomes: A Regional Call for Action in Aspirational Districts and Blocks.”

MT