Nagaland Assembly Panel Conducts Ground Checks on Water Bodies Amid Urgent Climate Warnings

Breaking new ground in addressing environmental issues, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Environment and Climate Change has launched field inspections and public awareness campaigns focused on climate change and pollution.

Led by MLA Achumbemo Kikon, the committee visited three key streams—Dzüvurü, Vurierü, and Sanuorü—around Kohima. They also checked solid waste segregation facilities at Lerie and Meriema, part of the Swachh Bharat Mission initiatives.

Kikon emphasized the urgent need to tackle environmental degradation. He stated, “We feel the impacts of climate change every day.” During the visits, the committee engaged with local leaders, drawing attention to the severe water shortages in Kohima and across Nagaland. “We must stop dumping plastic and sewage into our rivers,” he urged, warning that future conflicts may arise over water rather than oil.

The committee’s formation earlier this year marks a significant step in proactive legislative engagement with climate issues. Their first official meeting occurred on April 24.

Committee member Zhaleo Rio reaffirmed Kikon’s worries and announced that four major sanitation and water treatment projects are in progress in Kohima. “It’s crucial to restore clean water into our rivers, especially as the dry season approaches,” he noted. The committee plans to extend its efforts to other districts, including Dimapur, following guidance from the National Green Tribunal.

“This land is beautiful, but it’s being damaged by our actions,” said Rio.

Looking forward, the committee intends to work alongside 17 departments, including environment, urban development, forest, and agriculture, to create climate-resilient infrastructure and enhance ecological health statewide.

The push for environmental sustainability isn’t unique to Nagaland; it reflects a global trend. According to a 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center, 67% of people in India believe that climate change is a major threat. As communities across the world confront similar challenges, the efforts in Nagaland could serve as a model for addressing local environmental issues through legislative action and community engagement.

Kikon concluded with a hopeful vision: “If we act now, Nagaland can be more beautiful than Switzerland or Singapore.”

For further insight, you can consult reports from the National Green Tribunal and local environmental studies.



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Nagaland, water bodies, climate change, pollution, encroachment, sustainability, government report