DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 27 (MExN): A crowdfunding initiative is underway to resuscitate community tourism efforts of Mopungchuket village, in Mokokchung district, a popular rural tourism destination in Nagaland, which has been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative was launched today by the Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society (MCTS) coinciding with the World Tourism Day 2021. This year, the day is being observed under the theme ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’ as designated by the UN Tourism Organisation.
“The crowdfunding initiative aims to raise an amount of Rs 3,00,000 in two months from well-wishers, friends, in-laws and native citizens of Mopungchuket village. All donations received will be invested exclusively for reviving Mopungchuket community-based tourism. The online fundraising initiative is being launched through the crowdfunding platform of www.milaap.org,” informed a press release from MCTS.
It informed that as the COVID-19 crisis began unfolding in alarming proportions during mid March of 2020, and the government imposed the nation-wide lockdown, “we were caught off guard and our source of income dried up overnight.” “Our nascent community tourism was severely hit when we were just starting to take off and all our self-sustainable community tourism efforts were brought to a grinding halt by the pandemic induced lockdown,” the MCTS said.
With the government relaxing the lockdown restrictions because of the improved situation, we are back on track albeit with empty hands, it sated. “The COVID crisis condemned us into the deepest end of the adversity pool but we remain devoted to the cause of community growth and progress through tourism,” the MCTS added.
However, it stated that as tourism in Mopungchuket is being slowly opened, restarting it after almost two years of incredibly challenging times is as tough as starting from scratch. “Thus, we need the support of one and all,” the society appealed.
