Wildfire erupts at Khonoma Dzükou

Rescued trekkers reportedly admit to having caused fire 

Morung Express News
Kohima | December 12

A major wildfire broke out at Khonoma Dzükou Valley and continues to spread despite response efforts from multiple agencies and village authorities. The incident first came to light late Friday morning after videos showing flames in the valley began circulating on social media.

Following this, village authorities and guides began search and rescue operations soon after the videos surfaced. Four individuals were later rescued. 

Sources told The Morung Express that the four rescued trekkers subsequently admitted to having caused the fire.

They had not registered with the Eco-Tourism Management Committee (ETMC) before trekking and are believed to have entered the valley the previous night. During questioning, they informed village authorities that they had slept in makeshift tents inside the core zone. On Friday morning, while attempting to light a fire for cooking, the flames spread rapidly and ignited the surrounding area.

Fifteen tourism guides and village youths were deployed earlier in the day to assist in the rescue and containment efforts, the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) member said.

The earliest information reached villagers around 11:00 am. A former executive member of the KNCTS told The Morung Express that the person who recorded the videos would have needed to return to an area with mobile network to share them, indicating that the fire may have started around 10:00 am or earlier.

The KNCTS member said initial footage showed four individuals stranded near the fire, though their identities were not immediately known. 

KNCTS and ETMC oversee tourism operations in Khonoma and manage conservation efforts in the valley’s core zone, where the fire reportedly started.

The individual who first circulated the video was trekking to the valley and later joined the rescue efforts. His phone remained unreachable for several hours, the KNCTS member said.

Trekking to Khonoma Dzükou involves a steep and physically demanding climb through dense forest and narrow ridges, often slippery from mud and mist. The trek typically takes more than two and a half hours from the village.

Following reports of the outbreak, the Kohima District administration issued an order directing a multi-agency team to conduct immediate reconnaissance and rescue operations. The team is led by Imliakum, SDO (Civil), Sechü-Zubza, and includes the SDPO (North), District Commandant Home Guards, Range Forest Officer, Nodal Officer of DDMA Kohima, OC Fire & Emergency Services, and representatives from the Western Angami Youth Organisation (WAYO).

According to the order, the team has been instructed to reach the area without delay, assess conditions on the ground, and mobilize available resources to contain the blaze. The team will provide regular updates to the Deputy Commissioner as the situation develops.

SAYO suspends trekking to Dzükou 

Kohima, December 12 (MExN): The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has announced the immediate suspension of all trekking activities to Dzükou Valley following a fire outbreak earlier in the day.

In a notification issued by the organisation, SAYO said the advisory was being issued as a precautionary measure after the fire was detected through reports from the western side of the valley on December 12. It stated that all trekking routes to Dzükou Valley have been closed with immediate effect “to prevent any risk to trekkers, as the raging fire may potentially spread.”

SAYO said trekking will remain suspended until the fire is completely extinguished and safety is ensured. “Trekking shall remain suspended until the fire is fully extinguished and safety is completely ensured,” the organisation stated.

While expressing regret over the inconvenience caused to the public, SAYO said the decision was taken in the interest of public safety.