Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 27
Nagaland Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Tourism, Himato Zhimomi, IFS, has underscored on the rich cultural heritage and bio-diversity of Nagaland to boost tourism in the state.
Addressing the World Tourism Day celebration organized by Nagaland Hotels & Restaurant Association (NHRA) here at Christian Higher Secondary School on the theme “Prospect and promotion of tourism in Nagaland”, the Tourism Secretary said that the rich cultural heritage and bio-diversity of Nagaland are two main reasons why tourists come to visit the tiny North-eastern state.
Therefore, preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage and bio-diversity of Nagaland is crucial to livelihood and sustenance of future Naga generations, Zhimomi said.
He however lamented that Nagas have for too long been restricted by parochialism and tribalism, which have affected the growth of Naga society to a large extent.
He reminded the gathering, comprising mainly school students coming to take part in various competitions, that Nagas since Nagas have a common past they are also bound to share a common future.
Stressing on tourism as a major sector to boost the country’s or state’s economy, the Tourism secretary said that in 2011, India registered 5million foreign tourists and another 750 million domestic tourists criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country.
Coming to Nagaland, Zhimomi said in 2011, the state recorded 2000 foreign tourists, a hundred percent increase compared to 2010, and 25,000 domestic tourists. He expressed optimism that in the next five years, the number of foreign and domestic tourists would increase to 10,000 and 10,00,000 respectively. He also informed that the state government was soon going to set up a standard hotel management institute in Dimapur, which would churn out Naga youths to serve in the hospitality sector and provide employment to hundreds of youths.
Referring to the recent media exposure on unhygienic conditions of hotels and restaurants in the commercial hub Dimapur, the tourism secretary said that unless cleanliness is maintained, then tourists would never come to Nagaland. He said the Union Ministry of Tourism has a motto in Hindi, which translated to English goes something like “Guest is God.”
“Where do gods (tourists) stay?” Zhimomi asked and answered that they will stay in hotel when they visit Nagaland.
He challenged the school students to take a “Clean Nagaland campaign” pledge as tourists are the source from where their future livelihood and sustenance lay.
He also urged the students to take pledge to stop chewing pan as spitting of pan juices have dirtied the streets, offices and schools. Zhimomi said that Thailand, a pan chewing society, is now a clean country after the country’s King’s dictate to citizens to stop chewing pan.
Alumnus of IIM Shillong, Anup Kumar Gupta, gave a brief highlight of tourism industry. Earlier, MHRA treasurer, Seyiekhrielie Natso, delivered the welcome address.
Other highlights of the day-long celebration included extempore, essay, poetry and drawing competitions and fashion show titled “Colours of Nagaland” by OJ Fashion Show & Grooming Agency.
