The annual conference of Association of Nagaland Architects (ANA), attended by around 20 architects of the state, was held at Niathu resort, Dimapur on Saturday. Addressing the gathering, architect Chenithung Lotha secretary ANA said the association, being a nascent entity, has been planning to undertake various activities but lamented on being unable to materialize them owing to various limitations.
Chenithung said Nagaland after 16 years of statehood, had the first architect, late Yantsu Murry, followed by architect Medozho Zango. Ever since then, he said annually the state has been having one or two architecture graduates and as per record 39 architects from Nagaland are working in different sectors.
Doing away with that notion that architects are meant to build “high storeyed structures”, he said despite limited resources available in the state, the architects have proved their capacity to deliver at all times and appreciated their superiors for perfecting their profession.
While recalling the first architectural firm (Pvt.) in the state initiated by architect Imti and friends Anil and Sen at Dimapur in 80s, he also credited the in-service architects and diploma holders for their contribution in the field on architecture.
He said PWD department of housing is the only department employing B. Arch in the public sector, while the urban development takes in B. Arch with a master degree in planning and the rest in private sectors. Stating that 18% of the state population lives in urban centers that are unplanned thus growing haphazardly, he nevertheless expressed optimism that members of ANA could bring about a change in the set-up.
Expressing that time has come to intervene in policy matters regarding housing, urban development, heritage, conversation, he asked the members present to make their service available so that affordable housing could be made available to those in need of affordable housing options. He also called upon ANA members to be Nagaland’s most innovative think tank and train its members to conceive and develop innovative projects. In the discussion hour, members present echoed the need to implement Nagaland building by-laws which they said was the need of the hour.
Speaking on this, architect Ken Keditsu, director urban development said amendment was made in 2001 for building by-law and accordingly initiated to be implemented by the department in-charge. He also disclosed that recently Municipal Affair Cell (MAP) was setup under urban development department with the manpower provided to MAP.
Keditsu said once the transfer of function under the 12 scheduled of the 74tg constitutional amendment is affected, building by-law would be enforced in spirit. The members also calling for tenders for professional charges said that insistence of payment of security deposits by the architect before awarding job etc., must be stopped and convince the government to stop such practices.
ANA also lamented that the plans prepared by architects are scrutinized and approved by engineers and non-architects and felt architectural panning must be scrutinized and approved by architects only. ANA also called upon non-architects practicing the profession without valid license not to mar the image of the profession.
Lepongse from Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), Atsung sound engineer and proprietor Audio Garage also spoke on the conference. It may be mentioned that in the election, Longuseng Seb was elected president, Aren Imsong as vice president, Visato as general secretary and Lhovilie Yhor as treasurer.
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