Kohima: Nagaland MLA and Chairman of the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) Amenba Yaden, said efforts are being made towards making the state pollution-free for the healthy lives of the people.
Interacting with mediapersons after the NPCB Coordination meeting at Kohima on wednesday, Yaden Amenba said the coordination meeting has resolved to request the State Government to depute a particular Department to enforce the Pesticide Act of 1968.
He informed that while the use of pesticides should be properly checked, the NPCB has decided to approach the government to designate a particular department to enforce it throughout the state.
He said towards this end, NPCB has launched the Clean Dimapur City Campaign 2013 from yesterday, while also implementing the Solid Management Demonstration Project through the Kohima Municipal Council.
The campaign is likely to be extended to other parts of the State in a phased manner, NCPB officials said.
Mr Yaden also reiterated the NPCB directive based on the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, to control pollution of available water resources. The directive stated that no industry, which generates substantial effluents, shall discharge the effluents directly into a drain, stream and river without being treated as per the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board.
It also prohibits any person or business establishment from discharging human excreta wastes directly into the drain, stream and river but should do so into a septic tank with soak pit.
The NPCB directive also disallows construction of a pit latrine, septic tank or soak pit less than 10 meters away from the source of water such as open well and hand pump. NPCB Secretary Rusovil John, informed that consequent upon the High Court directive to prevent pollution by spillage of oil Changpang Oil field, NCPB has constituted a committee to look into the matter and has subsequently submitted its report to the Court.
He also said with a view to provide better wayside amenities for travellers and tourists, NPCB has issued guidelines to the way side hoteliers along highway under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The hoteliers have been directed to maintain clean toilets for ladies and gents with septic tanks, which should not be disposed directly to the streams.
They should also maintain hygienic conditions with sufficient clean water and practice proper waste disposal method. (UNI)