Mission mode to clean debris at Doyan dam

Taking note of the serious environmental hazard caused by improper disposal of wastes in the upstream of Doyang dam reservoir in Wokha district, Chief Secretary, J Alam held an emergency meeting in the Chief Secretary conference hall, Civil Secretariat, Kohima on June 7.

According to DIPR report, at the meeting, chief secretary emphasized the urgency to examine and undertake specific prevention and mitigation measures to clear the debris and solid waste collected in the upstream of the Doyang river bed.

He suggested that whatever sustainable way should be adopted and the mission should be carried out with close coordination with the district administration and the concerned departments.
Alam also deliberated on the immediate measures required to clean up the collected waste and asked the departments to find medium or long term measures to ensure that this kind of deposits do not take place.

He further directed DC, Wokha to convene a meeting with the stakeholders and to take immediate field assessment in the upstream of the dam to ascertain its quality where debris are accumulated and submit incident action plan.

The chief secretary also called for initiating a mission mode of cleaning the debris at Doyang dam within a week and maintain proper documentation records of the entire process with the involvement of various departments, fishermen, local villagers, NGOs etc.

Deputy Commissioner, WokhaAjit Kumar Ranjan, who attended the meeting through video conference said the floating solid wastes comprising mostly of plastics have accumulated and piled up at the banks of Doyang Dam Lake and the most affected were banks below the Pangti village, are old, new Changsu and old Changsu.

DC said that immediate action will be taken to clean up the debris through the help of locals and lined departments and community social works will be conducted at the earliest.
NEEPCO and State Nodal Officer, Er. John Zeliang, CGM also virtually attended the meeting and said the debris was washed down to the Doyang dam due to heaving rain in May 2024.

However, Zeliang said that power house in Doyang dam has been equipped with trash rack which prevents certain size of floating debris to enter the main reservoir.

Also deliberating of other issues with the departments, Chief Secretary stressed on ban of single use plastics especially below one litre water bottles and to reinforce the use of paper bags.
Departments of Water resources, Tourism, Police, Urban & Municipal Affairs and Fisheries also highlighted their resources and manpower status and suggestions during the meeting.