KOHIMA, Dec 1 ? The fifth ?Hornbill Festival?, showcasing different facets of Naga heritage, got off to a colourful start here with Governor Shyamal Datta calling upon the people to make serious endeavours for preserving their culture and bio-diversity of the state.
Coinciding with 41st Nagaland Statehood Day, the five-day annual festival began at Naga heritage village Kisama, ten km south of the capital town, with an aim to provide a slice of Naga life under one roof to promote tourism. Dutta lamented that Nagaland, once famous for its pristine natural beauty, fauna and flora, was today in a dismal condition and called upon the people to conserve ?whatever remains in the state?.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio spoke of the State Government?s initiative to promote tourism in Nagaland, and said such festivals besides attracting tourists play a great role in preserving the rich cultural heritage. ?Being a hilly state with a highly fragile environment and limited economic resources, it is important for us to identifify an economic activity which can provide us sustained growth, employment generation and big income multiplier,? Rio said. Rio expressed confidence that the tourism sector in Nagaland could guarantee employment generation as well as conservation of ecosystem within a short span.
?This is also the view of the WTO-UNDP joint team which did a study of Nagaland?s tourism potential and submitted its report in July,? the Chief Minister said, adding, the government was encouraging the private sector to explore the state?s potential.
He said due to the concerted efforts of the state tourism department, the Centre and India Tourism Development Corporation have decided to develop Dimapur, Chumukedima, Piphima, Kohima, Wokha, Pfutsero, Phek, Mokokchung and Zunheboto as tourist circuit and destination this year.
Under the Prime Minister?s special economic package, he said the state government submitted a detailed project report for development of ten rural tourism projects. This year?s main attraction at the heritage village is the permanent bamboo complex, housing exhibition stalls and offices, as part of state?s plan of action to extensively explore the potential of the plant in the north-east.