Waste dumped into the drainages and streams have been found to contaminate ground water in Kohima. (Morung file Photo)
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Kohima, April 6 (MExN): As per directives from the Ministry of MoHUA, all dumpsites should be cleared and the city should be dumpsite free by October 2026.
In regard to this enforcement of Mandatory Source Segregation of Solid Waste within Kohima Municipal Jurisdiction whereas, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, mandate segregation of waste at source under Rule 4(1)(b) and prohibit disposal of waste in an unscientific manner under Rule 4(2); and whereas, the Kohima Municipal Council, in line with the strengthened compliance framework under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, and pursuant to resolutions adopted in various stakeholder meetings regarding dumpsite remediation at Dzürüzou, has resolved to enforce strict waste segregation within its jurisdiction.
For this, in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 15 of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, the KMC hereby issued the following directions.
Mandatory segregation at source
All waste generators including households, commercial establishments, institutions and bulk -waste generators shall segregate waste at source into; Wet (Biodegradable), Waste-Dry (Non-biodegradable) Waste and Sanitary and domestic hazardous waste as applicable.
Store and hand over such segregated waste to authorised waste collectors only.
Effective date of enforcement mandatory source segregation shall enforced with effect from April 1, 2026.
Grace period for compliance
A grace period of one month from the date of enforcement shall be provided to facilitate compliance and awareness.
Prohibition on Disposal of Unsegregated Waste upon expiry of the grace period:
Unsegregated (mixed) waste shall not be collected, transported, or accepted at the KMC landfill site at Dzürüzou.
Entry of mixed waste at the landfill site shall be strictly prohibited.
Penalties and environmental compensation
Any violation shall attract spot fines and user charges under Rule 15 (ze) of SWM Rules 2016.
Environmental compensation shall be levied in accordance with the Polluter Pays Principal under the strengthened 2026 compliance framework. Repeated violations may lead to enhanced penalties and denial of waste collection services.
Roles and responsibilities
Ward councillors and ward/colony sanitation committees shall ensure implementation, monitoring and compliance at the ward level.
The Municipal Authority shall enforce compliance through inspections, penalties and awareness campaigns as mandated under Rule 15.
This notification is issued to ensure scientific management of municipal solid waste, prevent environment degradation and public health risks and facilitate remediation of Dzürüzou dumpsite and to achieve the target of dumpsite-free Kohima by October 2026.
KMC Chief Executive Officer Zapuno Sophie directed all stakeholders to comply strictly with this notification.
Non-compliance shall invite penal action under applicable provisions of law. This is for strict compliance of all stakeholders, Sophie added in a notification received here today.
