Tourist Information installed at Longkhum village on August 8.
Longkhum village, August 8 (MExN): In a bid to promote community participation in tourism and strengthen awareness of local heritage, the INTACH Nagaland Chapter on Saturday handed over a Tourist Information and Heritage Installation to Longkhum village.
The installation, the second such initiative by the heritage body after the first at Khonoma village in 2019, is designed to serve as a useful source of information for visitors while encouraging the local community, particularly young people, to take greater interest in the history, culture, traditions and natural heritage of their village.
The programme began with an invocation by Rev Aka Jamir, Pastor, Longkhum Baptist Church, according to a press release issued by Sentila T Yanger, State Convener, INTACH Nagaland Chapter.
Chairing the programme, Mefutiba Longkumer, Co-Convener of INTACH Nagaland Chapter, highlighted the importance of making tourism information accessible at the community level.
“Such installations can help visitors understand and appreciate the unique cultural and natural assets of the village while encouraging responsible and respectful tourism,” the release stated.
The installation was formally handed over to Longkhum Village Chairman, Longkhumbo Jamir, in the presence of members of the Village Council, Longkhum Village Tourism Committee, teachers and students.
As part of the programme, the Nagaland Chapter also distributed a colouring storybook written in the Ao vernacular titled ‘Tenemmozü Nokinketer’ (The Hornbill Warrior) to the students.
The book is designed to introduce children to local stories, traditions and cultural knowledge of Nagaland in a simple and engaging manner while preserving the local language. This initiative also seeks to encourage children to value their heritage and recognise their role in preserving and passing it on to future generations.
The Nagaland chapter has expressed hope that the installation and educational materials would become meaningful resources for both visitors and the local community.
The programme concluded with a call for continued cooperation among the village community, educational institutions and tourism stakeholders to promote responsible, sustainable and culturally sensitive tourism while safeguarding the heritage of the village.
