Minister Temjen Imna Along and others at the consultative meeting of stakeholders for Hornbill festival in Kohima on September 22. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 22
Nagaland Tourism & Higher Education Minister, Temjen Imna Along today said that Hornbill Festival is never the same every year and this year, it will be much better. “We welcome all the tourists of the world to come to Nagaland, enjoy and have the experience of a lifetime,” the Minister said during the 2nd consultative meeting with stakeholders for the forthcoming Hornbill Festival at Hotel Japfu, Kohima.
Next year being the Silver Jubilee of Hornbill festival, we are preparing from now onwards to see that it is completely cohesive and inclusive and we give a life time experience to it, he said.
On the 2023 Hornbill Festival from December 1- 10, the Minister said that many departments are working together and the government wants to establish more cohesiveness to provide the best experience to all the tourists who will be coming to Nagaland not only during the Hornbill Festival but also in the days to come for Mini Hornbill Festivals.
Along maintained that growth in the tourism sector will help make the state’s economy productive. He said that the department will bring out a Nagaland tourism calendar by early part of January 2024. He further informed that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has allocated grant in aid this year to the Tourism Department to help facilitate stakeholders like homestays, taxi associations, tourist guides and those who want to promote tourism in their own way. He said that budget is yet to be worked out.
Meanwhile, Along called upon the concerned departments to undertake cleanliness drive in Kohima twice a month on rotation basis.
Suggestions, new initiatives for 2023 Hornbill fest
Nagaland Advisor for Prison and Printing & Stationary, Er Kropol Vitsu stressed on the need to have a proper mechanism for the success of the Hornbill Festival. He insisted installation of larger water tank at Kisama to facilitate sufficient water supply during the festival.
MLA Kevipodi Sophie suggested that all those manning the stalls at Kisama should be encouraged to wear traditional attire.
Tourism Commissioner & Secretary, I Kitto Zhimomi invited corporate houses and agencies to place advertisements in the Hornbill Festival programme booklet. He also called for ensuring uninterrupted supply of power and water at Kisama and to ensure inner roads at Kisama are done before November 15.
The Transport Department informed that bus service will be made available during the Hornbill Festival.
Minister Along suggested that parking tax at Kisama be taken on hourly basis. He also made a suggestion to the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) to extend the musical concert beyond 8:30 pm.
ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema informed that it would organize Mithun Show at the festival as Mithun is the state animal. Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) expressed its desire to bring Honey Bee Day and bee keeping activities to Hornbill Festival Kisama this year.
Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (NSMDC) expressed desire to have a bigger area for exhibition cum sale of decorative and dimensional stones at the festival.
The Minister advised the NSMDC to curate stones for seating arrangement purpose in the respective Morungs at Kisama. Stone Park can also be set up, he said.
On the presentation made by the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency, the Minister agreed to continue the Hornbill Bamboo Carnival in this year’s Hornbill Festival too.
On the proposal of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) to bring forward bio-degradable carry bags for use during the festival, the Minister felt that the same be encouraged and also put a ban on use of all polythene carry bags during the festival.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Tourism Secretary, Nchumbemo Lotha informed that the third consultative meeting will take place in October.
