Kohima, September 26 (PTI): In a bid to encourage rural tourism, the Nagaland government is working on programmes to spread awareness in the interior areas for implementing centrally-sponsored schemes ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘PRASAD’, an official said on Monday.
Nagaland and the northeast have immense potential in rural tourism and therefore the state government through the department of tourism is chalking out programmes to spread awareness in the interior areas by implementing the central programmes, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, C Apok Jamir said while interacting with media persons on the sidelines of the department’s Logo competition here.
Swadesh Darshan is an integrated development of Theme Based Tourist Circuits, while PRASAD is National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive. “We are embarking on the mission to make Nagaland and the northeast region in general a tourist destination for the rest of the world,” Jamir said, adding that through such initiatives, the department is working towards opening the gates for the people to explore and experience the culture and tradition of the Nagas in the 11 districts.
He expressed hope that promoting tourism activities will generate employment in the state and also project the vibrancy of the region to the world.
Almost all hotels in Kohima booked for Hornbill Festival
Our Correspondent
With barely 2 months left for Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, almost all the hotels in Kohima have been already booked, according to official sources. The Hornbill festival is an annual affair to encourage inter-tribe interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland.
It takes place in the first week of December every year since its inception in 2000. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its traditions.
Talking to media persons, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism C Apok Jamir said that this year’s Hornbill festival will remain a 10 days affair. On being asked if there are any additional items this year, he said the department is yet to consult with the other agencies on the issue.
Jamir also said the department is keeping in touch with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for External affairs Sushma Swaraj and Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma to grace this year’s Hornbill Festival. He, however, said that confirmation is yet to be gathered.
Jamir maintained that tourism is one area which can provide employment and economic development to the people. “It also opens the door to rest of the world to see the beauty of Nagaland and its people and also the rich culture of the Nagas and basically the beauty of nature.” Stating that north-east is abounding with natural beauty, he said “It is our strength.” Here in Nagaland, he said “our strength is honesty, simplicity,” a culture and tradition that can be offered to the rest of the world.
Stating that Hornbill festival has reached an international level, he said the state would like to develop and project Nagaland as one of the best tourist hotspots. Jamir said that the department will be focusing on rural tourism, adding that tourism is one potentiality where every district can offer, which would in turn earn livelihood for many and sustain the economy.
