Zunheboto, Dec 14 (MExN): Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism & Women Development Kaito Aye inaugurated the first ever tourist village in Zunheboto district and the sixth in the state at Ghukiye village on December 13.
Addressing a large gathering of public and leaders of Zunheboto which included Deputy Commissioner CK Nihekhu, Sumi Hoho leaders and elders of Ghukiye village, Kaito lauded the efforts of the villagers in preserving their culture. Kaito took note especially traditional music which, he said, Ghukiye villagers have maintained as well as conserving a part of their village land for Ghosu Bird Sanctuary. Kaito said that in the absence of other viable industries at the moment, eco-tourism holds the key for an alternative source of income. He appealed to the people to preserve culture and nature.
“Just like the Village Development Board (VDB) scheme, the most novel idea in the tourism sector in the state of Nagaland is the involvement of communities in the rural tourism sector, making them more responsive and responsible,” Kaito emphasized. “This process whereby the communities are brought in to partake in the planning , execution and running daily affairs have been aptly coined as communitization of tourism” he said.
“Communitization is a process where the communities are made to own tourism assets within their jurisdiction. They are solely made responsible to run and maintain the assets such as lodges, rest houses and resorts. The elevation of the communities to the status of stakeholders has generated a great deal of interest and the level of commitment has been remarkable. Since the assets belong to them and whatever earnings it brings accrues to them, they are fully involved in its upkeep, maintenance and sustainability. Cases of such successful ventures can be seen in villages like Tuophema ,Khonoma, Benreu, Chuchuyimlang etc” Kaito opined. This community’s rural tourism indeed holds a potential for Nagaland’s tourism development dream, Kaito added.
He also stressed the need for reconciliation and co-existence. “If infighting and violence exists among us people will not visit our places out of fear,” Kaito reminded.
The Parliamentary Secretary asked the people to maintain their rich culture and tradition of warm hospitality towards guests but at the same time cautioned them not to ‘part with everything’. Kaito also released a ‘cultural cassette’ of folk songs and other items produced by Ghukiye villagers.
The programme was enlivened with cultural items by various men and women’s groups of Ghukiye village. The rural tourism project at Ghukiye village under Prime Minister’s Package awarded to the state consists of a four-bedded tourist lodge with a capacity to add more beds, a watch tower at Ghosu Bird sanctuary, a community hall with 1000 sitting capacity, approach road to the village, footsteps to three colonies and community toilets in four places.
The other tourist villages, so far inaugurated are: Tuophema Tourist village, Khonoma Green Village, Chuchuyimlang Tourist Village, Benreu Tourist Village and old Riphyim Tourist Village.
The programme was chaired by Kavito, invocation was said by pastor Hukavi while Zhekheshe and his friends treated the gathering to music. S Vishito Zhimo delivered the welcome address while the vote of thanks was offered by Vikiye Zhimo.
