NPCB organises workshop cum awareness on NCAP

DIMAPUR: A workshop-cum-awareness programme on National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for the two nonattainment cities of Kohima and Dimapur was organised by Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) on January 20 at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoükedima.

A press release by NPCB informed that the main objective of the programme was to sensitise the stakeholder departments under NCAP on the objectives and aims of the programme and to build the capacity of the concerned departments through demonstrative presentations on the various activities that were to be undertaken.

Chairperson of the programme, NPCB member secretary, K Hukato Chishi acknowledged the active participation in the implementation of NCAP by all the stakeholders so far. He further stated that the aim for clean air in the cities was a public necessity and encouraged collaborative efforts to address the issue in the state.

In a keynote address, NPCB chairman, Rusovil John sought the coopera- tion of all the stakeholders to address the issues of air pollution.

Further, he gave a brief overview of NCAP targets and goals of reducing the concentration of particulate matter up to 40% by 2026 using 2017 as the base year for comparison. He also stated the status of the concentrations in both the non-attainment cities of Nagaland.

Joint director, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), N Subrahmanyan gave a detailed presentation on the overview of NCAP in India with special reference to Nagaland.

He highlighted the strategies and state’s role in implementation of NCAP emphasizing on the importance of con - verge of resources at the national, state and city level, preparation of state, city and micro plans to leverage funds and updating annual plans on the PRANA portal by the concerned Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to ensure smooth functioning and implementation of NCAP in the state.

Scientist B of NPCB, Yanathung Kithan gave an overview of the status of NCAP in the state and the various activities undertaken through the stakeholders.

Kithan informed that currently, the board has 4 and 7 air monitoring stations in Kohima and Dimapur respectively under the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP).

In his presentation, he also gave a graphical representation of the status of concentrations in the cities of Kohima and Dimapur, where it was seen that the concentration levels in Kohima have reduced to a great extent owing to better roads in the city. However, Kithan said it was the concern of the board that the concentration levels have only increased more than 50% in the year 2021-22 in Dimapur.

The technical session was taken up by Scientist ‘B’, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Sakshi Batra.

The programme was also attended by secretary, EF&CC, Kohima, Y Atsase Thongtsar, Commissioner of Police, Kevithuto Sophie, representatives from the stakeholder departments under NCAP like, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Kohima Municipal Council, Dimapur Municipal Council, Department of Industries & Commerce, Forest Department of Kohima & Dimapur, District Transport office, NIT Chumukedima, participants from the Assam & Meghalaya Pollution Control Board and NE Regional Office of CPCB, Meghalaya.

(PFMS)

MCC: Model Christian College observed “International Day of Education” on January 24 at the College Auditorium, under the theme “To Invest in People, Prioritise Education.”

A press release by MCC informed that resource person, professor and head, Guidance and Counselling Psychology, Education Research of Nagaland, Dr Zavise Rume remarked that the approach of the present education system was towards pragmatism.