‘Nature is Nagaland’s greatest wealth’

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 9

Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh today said that Nagaland has the biggest assets of natural wealth and forest and stressed on the need to make the best use of the same for the benefit of the state.

“Natural wealth is the greatest wealth of Nagaland,” Singh said while addressing a press conference on Union Budget 2026-2027 in the presence of Nagaland Tourism & Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along and Nagaland’s Prisons, Printing & Stationery advisor Er. Kropol Vitsu at BJP office Kohima on February 9. The Union Minister, however, regretted the lack of proper awareness for transforming such potential into a quality asset. Singh assured that he will be happy to assist any project in this aspect.

Outlining the key priorities and projected impact of the Union Budget 2026–27, Singh mentioned the establishment of professional institutions in Tier-1 and Tier-3 categories to strengthen educational and skill infrastructure in the State. He further stated that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will play a crucial role in driving empowerment, boosting exports, and promoting regional development. He said that there is a national programme to develop ecologically sustainable mountain trails in the North East. He stated that the government will provide fund for this.

Stating that the North East possesses huge scope in tourism, he informed that there is now a scheme to train 10,000 guides in the most important iconic tourist sites.

He also said that the Union Budget 2026-27 announced a new initiative to develop a comprehensive Buddhist Circuit across India's Northeast, and that will also be a bigger employment for all North-eastern states.

Further informing that the government has developed a special scheme to develop 500 reservoirs, he expected some projects from Nagaland too. Singh stated that in an increasingly multi-polar world, regional priorities have assumed greater significance. He noted that the Budget is designed to sustain a consistent growth trajectory while strengthening regional cooperation with like-minded countries.

Singh expressed confidence that the Union Budget 2026–27 would further consolidate India’s growth momentum while ensuring balanced and inclusive regional development.