Call to reimagine tourism as a movement in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 27

Nagaland Commissioner & Secretary for Tourism, Arenla Jamir maintained that Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival has put Nagaland on the global tourism map showcasing its rich tribal heritage and attracting visitors from across the world.

Hornbill Festival is celebrated annually from December 1 to 10 at Naga Heritage village, Kisama, near Kohima.

Nagaland, often referred to as the “Land of Festivals,” is blessed with rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and an abundance of biodiversity, she said while addressing World Tourism Day at the Directorate of Tourism, Kohima on September 27.

“From the vibrant Hornbill Festival to the untouched terrains of Dziikou Valley, from the traditional practices of our tribes to our thriving handloom and handicrafts sector, along with the exotic tribal cuisines, our state offers a unique blend of nature and culture,” Jamir said.
Our Village Homestays, Handwoven Textiles, local cuisines and eco-tourism initiatives are examples of how Tourism can empower rural areas, create livelihoods, and preserve our identity,” she said.

But today, Jamir said “as we celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of Nagaland, we must also reflect on the path forward, a path that ensures that tourism becomes a vehicle for inclusive growth, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.

In this, she said, there is this urgent call for sustainable transformation in tourism sector.

“Tourism, when unregulated, can often lead to environmental degradation, cultural dilution and economic disparity,” she said.

However, we in Nagaland have a chance to choose a different model.  One that is community-based, ecologically responsible, and culturally respectful. “Tourism should not only be about taking from a place, but it should also be about giving back to the people, the land and the culture,” Jamir said.

“Let us re-imagine tourism not as an industry, but as a movement that uplifts lives, celebrates identities, and nurtures the environment,” she said.

“Let Nagaland be a shining example of how tourism, when done right, can lead to a truly sustainable transformative community by bridging between people and cultures, between development and nature, between past traditions and future opportunities,” the Commissioner & Secretary added.