Officials, guests and others during the 5.0 edition of Chengu Festival held at Kivikhu village.
Zunheboto, February 26 (MExN): The 5.0 edition of Chengu Festival was hosted by Kivikhu Community Conserved Area (CCA) at Kivikhu village and organised by Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network with the theme “conserving culture and natural heritage.”
The festival was graced by Veyielo Doulo, Director of Tourism, Nagaland as the special guest, Media Cell, 5.0 Edition of Chengu Festival stated in a press release. In his speech, Doulo stated that the Tizu Valley is richly blessed with a rich culture and people, and he felt fortunate to be part of the significant Chengu Festival.
Doulo explained that the festival holds two significant meanings: seeking blessings and thanksgiving, and reconciliation. He stated that the Chengu Festival celebrates biodiversity, which God has blessed humanity with, and is an invitation to share and receive blessings.
Doulo challenged the local community to work genuinely for conserving cultural and natural heritage and promoting the tourism industry in the state as a joint venture. He emphasised that tourism has the potential to transform the local economy, creating huge revenues through tourist activities.
He assured the local community that the tourism department would support them in promoting and preserving their rich culture through tourism. If the local community is dedicated to promoting the tourism industry, the Chengu Festival will be included in the annual tourism calendar, ensuring funding from the tourism department.
Doulo also officially unveiled Aboriginal Energy Pvt Ltd's Green Power Solutions, which is a significant step towards promoting sustainable energy in the region.
T Kakihe Aye, Additional Director of Tourism made the request to include Chengu Festival in the annual tourism calendar. Aye acknowledged that the festival is still in its initial stages but promised progress in the coming days. He suggested that Sukhai, Ghukhuyi and Kivikhu villages establish “village tourism board or joint tourism board” to converge conservation and tourism efforts as a joint venture.
Dr T Yetovi Tuccu, Joint Director, Health and Family Welfare, Jeffrey Silverman from Conservation International, and Kasturi Navalkar from Value Network Ventures delivered short speeches.
The event featured traditional cultural activities, including a traditional war dance, winnowing rice competition, traditional fire-making competition, and traditional games. The festival also included a community interactive session, an essay competition and a prize distribution ceremony.
