KOHIMA, OCT 2:

Nagaland Public Health Engineering Minister Jacob Zhimomi on Friday stressed the need for sustained sanitation efforts and behavioural change to ensure the benefits of cleanliness reach even the remotest villages of the state.

Zhimomi was speaking at the culmination of the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign and observance of Swachh Bharat Diwas at the PHED office here.

Zhimomi said sanitation was a lifelong priority requiring continuous strengthening and called for greater coordination among PHED divisions to realise the vision of a Swachh Bharat.

He also emphasised the need for behavioural change and a shift in people’s mindset, saying such changes were essential for the state’s progress and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The campaign, held from September 17 to October 2 under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, saw cleanliness, waste management, community participation, youth engagement and sanitation-worker welfare activities across the state.

Dimapur Rural undertook waste-to-wealth initiatives, including making plastic bricks, recycled tyre furniture, brooms and cloth bags from discarded materials. Tuensang organised health camps for Safai Mitras and sanitation workers, while students in Medziphema participated in cleanliness activities and made bamboo dustbins.

Noklak organised a community tug-of-war to promote waste segregation and community responsibility, while Phek conducted a cleanliness and awareness drive at Glory Peak.

Awards were presented under the Swachhata Champion and Best Performing ODF Plus Model Village categories.

The programme concluded with a tree plantation and cleanliness drive under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. (Source: PTI)