Reimagining the Hornbill Festival: A blueprint for Sustainable Tourism and Waste Management

The photo shows the waste analysis for Day 1 of the Hornbill Festival on December 1, 2023, conducted by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB). According to the Board, a total of 753.61 kg of waste was generated on Day 1. (Representative Image Courtesy: @Rongsenben/X)

The photo shows the waste analysis for Day 1 of the Hornbill Festival on December 1, 2023, conducted by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB). According to the Board, a total of 753.61 kg of waste was generated on Day 1. (Representative Image Courtesy: @Rongsenben/X)

Boka K Rochill

Earlier this year, while reading an article on waste management, I came across a striking phrase: “To be human is to waste.’’ It resonates deeply with our reality today, where the term ‘wasteprint’ could very well define our human existence. In Nagaland, this truth is starkly evident, especially as the state prepares for the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival. This much-anticipated event, expected to attract over 150,000 visitors, as per previous years estimates promises a celebration of culture but also underscores an urgent challenge—managing the mountains of waste it generates. For context, the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) reports that the state’s 39 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) generate around 303.85 tonnes of waste per day (TPD), of which 43 tonnes remain untreated daily—amounting to an annual burden of 15,786 tonnes of untreated waste. Come December, based on NPCBs estimates of waste generated during the 2023 Hornbill Festival last year, approximately 700 kg of solid waste was generated on day one, escalating to 3,000 kg on day two. Given the increasing trend observed from day three onward, a conservative estimate for the total waste generated during the 10-day festival would be approximately 25,000 to 30,000 kg / 35-40 MT of waste. 

Kohima and the adjoining areas, with increased tourists' footfall would be the epicentre of the Hornbill Festival, putting a strain on already overburdened waste management infrastructure, compounded by our hilly terrain. The Doyang river crisis earlier this year in June, littered with plastic waste, still serves as a grim reminder of the environmental, public health and ecological toll of mismanaged waste. Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) is among the most resource-intensive urban services, consuming up to 50% of ULB budgets and 80% of manpower. Collection and transportation alone devour 85-90% of the SWM budget, leaving only a fraction for processing and disposal. Compounding these financial constraints are operational hurdles: open littering, seasonal waste surges, and the high cost of disposing non-recyclables like single-use plastics. The situation calls for innovative revenue augmentation strategies that enable ULBs to deliver efficient SWM services sustainably. This is especially critical with the Hornbill Festival looming, where tourist-generated waste will spike exponentially. Imagine a scenario where Kisama Heritage Village becomes a ‘Zero-waste festival zone’ —a model for sustainable tourism and a blueprint for other regions.

Replicable Case Studies 
To that end, the Deposit Refund System (DRS) implemented at Kedarnath, has proven successful in reducing waste around a major pilgrimage site with high tourist footfall. This can serve as a valuable model for managing plastic waste, for the Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village; as well as at key identified tourists spots with high footfall. In this system, a small deposit of around Rs.10 over the MRP is charged when purchasing products in plastic packaging, such as water bottles or snacks. Upon consumption, the empty containers are returned to designated collection points, where the deposit is refunded. This simple yet effective system not only incentivizes proper waste disposal but also directly addresses the plastic pollution issue in ecologically sensitive areas. To ensure the effectiveness of the scheme, local youth volunteers from civil society organizations (CSOs) could manage collection points, educate festival-goers, and track waste returns. This involvement would not only foster the Naga ethos of community ownership and pride in preserving the region's ecosystem but also promote environmental stewardship.

Leveraging existing SWM Rules 2016- a Green cess fee 
Nagaland’s ULBs already have the mandate under the SWM Rules, 2016, to levy user fees and cess for waste management. The SWM rules 2016, in particular for hilly areas have outlined that “local bodies shall convey the provisions of solid waste management under the bye-laws to all tourists visiting the hilly areas at the entry point in the town as well as through the hotels, guest houses or like where they stay and by putting suitable hoardings at tourist destinations”. Additionally, the local bodies may also “levy charges to tourists at entry points to sustain SWM services at tourist destinations”. This could be in the form of ‘Green cess’ fee or ‘SWM Cess’ fee – specifically for tourists to make the solid waste management services sustainable. This policy approach of  'green cess' and 'payments for environmental services,' including charging from tourists for the service provided and entrance fees is also endorsed as one of NITI Aayog’s key action programs for the Indian Himalayan Region states. 

In the immediate term, the state i.e. in this case the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) through the Chief Executive’s Office can issue an order to explore implementing the ‘Green Cess fee’ - in consultation with the Councillors and relevant committee members- this would provide some succour to augment effective SWM service delivery. To operationalize this in the long term, Nagaland must integrate such cess fees and user charges into municipal bye-laws, within the ambit of SWM rules 2016. Such fees, tailored in this case specifically for tourists, can fund infrastructure upgrades like waste processing units and ensure financial viability.

A Future Where Festivals Celebrate Sustainability 
The Hornbill Festival is more than a celebration of Naga culture—it’s a showcase of our state’s identity to the world. As it grows in prominence, it carries the responsibility of setting a standard for sustainable tourism, one that balances cultural celebration with environmental stewardship. By embracing innovative approaches like the Deposit Refund System, enforcing a “Green Cess,” and leveraging legal provisions under the SWM Rules, 2016, Nagaland has the opportunity to pioneer a zero-waste festival model. It’s time to reimagine our festivals not only as cultural milestones but as moments of collective action, proving that a celebration of culture can coexist with the celebration of sustainability.

This demands bold policy action, collective will, and a commitment to doing things differently. Imagine Kisama as a shining example of sustainable tourism—where every visitor is greeted with eco-friendly alternatives, waste segregation is second nature, and the cultural celebration leaves behind memories, not landfills. After all, to be human is indeed to waste—but it is also to innovate, to adapt, and to rise above challenges. Let this Hornbill Festival be the beginning of that journey. Nagaland has the opportunity to set a precedent, blending celebration of its vibrant tradition with environmental stewardship.

(Boka K Rochill is a Policy Analyst and currently ADB-NIUANER Young Professional. The writer can be contacted at bokarochill@gmail.com)
 



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