Tsanchingla Imlong
Nagaland has been a restricted area for a very long time and visitors wishing to come into Nagaland had to go through many formalities. It was only after the relaxation of the Restricted Area Permit in the year 2000 that we have seen a steady growth of tourism in Nagaland. This growth has been observed skeptically by some and yet by others as a means to improve the economy of the people.
The fear we have is only natural. When we look at the countries that already have a booming tourist industry we have seen the negative as well as the positive impacts. It is fortunate for Nagaland to have come into the tourism scenario so late in the day. We are better able to assess the pitfalls in tourism and either amend or avoid the mistakes people have made. Yes, we do want to attract as many tourists as we can and would like them to see the richness of Naga culture and our hospitality, but at what cost? The countries that have encouraged mass tourism have had the consequences of losing their forests and towns and have become bustling cities with high rates of pollution and over-population.
The biodiversity of our state makes it very fragile. Consequence of loss or damage could be fatal, giving rise to imbalance in the environment and biodiversity of our land. We need to be specific in our quest for promoting tourism and eco-tourism is one such arena that can be exploited in Nagaland. The term Eco-tourism has different interpretations depending on the purpose and the user. It could be community-based tourism, rural tourism, village tourism, adventure tourism and cultural tourism. Eco-tourism is part of the general growth in tourism and reflects increased environmental awareness and the desire for more authentic natural and cultural experience. According to the International Eco-tourism Society- “Eco-tourism means responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of the local people.” Eco-tourism could generate economic benefits at the local and national level. Eco-tourism involves:
• Visiting natural areas
• Benefits for the local people
• Conservation of the natural and cultural aspects
• Sustainability
• Participation of the local people
• Visitors satisfaction
Thus creating an incentive for action to conserve the resources on which it depends leading to the satisfaction of any visitor.
Nagaland is fortunate to have beautiful landscapes, vibrant and colorful costumes, strong cultures and traditions. We as Nagas are also somewhat not aware about the kind of potentials we have. We have become used to the abundant blessings in terms of scenery, the people, and our culture that we forget that this is something that makes us unique. Every district in Nagaland is blessed with different landscapes - the high mountainous terrain, low plateaus, and hillocks. We speak different dialects, and even our culture and costumes differ from one another. Where in the world can we find such unity in diversity? And we ask what or how to attract tourists!
The basic thing we have to offer is the simplicity and hospitality of our Naga life, our age-old cultures and traditions. What are some of the unique selling points (USP) of Nagaland?
a) Our unique culture
b) Historical places
c) Historical background of our tribes
d) Natural forests and landscapes
e) Villages or community set up
f) Friendly and hospitable people
Nagaland consists of over 1000 villages. This village set up is unique in many ways and is one of the main tourist attractions. Our villages are clustered together and many a times located on hilltops. This has been a practice since time immemorial by our forefathers as a means to protect themselves from their enemies. Hence rural tourism or village tourism will be of great significance in the growth of tourism in our state.
Rural tourism is a very low cost maintenance with high quality service. Products in this type of tourism do not cost much for the simple reason that we are providing tourists what we already have - home stays, nature walks, village trails, bird watching, village circuits, etc. are some of the products we have in our hands. Encouraging paying guest accommodations in the villages and towns will not only help economically by employing cooks, house keepers and launderers, but will also give the guests the chance to feel at home and a chance to share in our Naga hospitality. Our handicrafts and handloom products could be sold as souvenirs. The guests would also welcome using our organic food products grown in our gardens. The youths of the village could act as guides and also form cultural clubs to entertain the guest with traditional folk songs and dances, a little touch of modern music too, because who knows the villages more than these young people who have grown up here? The only thing that we would be required of us would be to give quality service but that would not be much of a difficulty because we Nagas are known already for our hospitality.
The backbone of any tourism industry is the people. Eco-tourism itself in its definition states that it should be an activity that is sustainable for the local people. The main stakeholders are the people and the success of rural or village tourism depends on them because benefits of it go directly into their hands. Distribution of benefits should be equal amongst all sections of the community. Tourism in its growth needs to take the advice and counsel of the people at large. It should be able to take into account the plans and aims of the people. Their fears and expectations should be addressed and the people themselves should be able to come out and identify the things they want developed.
Promoting tourism in the state has had a somewhat positive effect on the society. It is noticed that over the years, there is a cultural renaissance and festivals are celebrated with great fervor. Forgotten customs are revived; young people sit with elders and ask about folklore and history. Creativity amongst the youth has encouraged traditional handicrafts and handlooms industries. Banning of hunting and deforestation in many areas has been a positive effect of eco-tourism.
Tourism is an industry that can be a sustainable means of livelihood if promotion of it is done in a systematic manner. The resources that we have must be exploited with a cautious approach. Mass tourism should be avoided and we must look at “low volume, high income” type of tourism. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Protected Area permit (PAP) have in fact become insurance and check against mass tourism. Removing these permits will not bring in more tourists but create new problems. Therefore, it is important that we retain the permits but have more relaxation as in that 1or 3 persons as well as couples, whether they be married or not, be allowed to enter in to Nagaland.
Promoting tourism in Nagaland should be to make a positive contribution to conservation of our natural and cultural resources and should stimulate private conservation effort. It should be a means to mark a growth in the socio-economic condition of the people. For that, each of us needs to contribute in the smallest way in making Nagaland an Eco-friendly tourist destination.
(The writer is General Secretary Nagaland Tourism Association and al so runs Zingki Tours and Adventures)
Note: This article was carried some months back but is being reproduced for benefit of readers on the occasion of World Tourism Day
