Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, April 7 (EMN): “Whatever we do is community-based. All initiatives are undertaken by the community, and all benefits should go to the community,” said Limalenden Longkumer, who was recently announced as the winner of Indian Responsible Tourism Awards (IRTA) 2022 in the ‘Grassroot Heroes’ category.
The award was announced by The Outlook Responsible Tourism Initiative, at the Indian Responsible Tourism Summit and Awards, held at Kannada University, Hampi, Karnataka, on April 6.
Born and raised in Mopungchuket village, Longkumer has been actively involved with village tourism development since student days (2002).
The village community formed a tourism community in 2002, later named as Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society (MCTS). MCTS is the sole authority entrusted by the village community to oversee promotion, development and management of Mopungchuket tourism.
“I was a part of MCTS since its inception and was entrusted to lead the MCTS team in 2019 as its convenor/chairman,” he said.
Longkumer also asserted that as a journalist, he was exposed to a lot of new ideas, including tourism opportunities, sustainable development and environment/ conservation efforts.
“I shared the ideas with my friends and peers in the village. They were inspired just like me. And so we started undertaking various initiatives on our own.
“The enthusiasm exhibited by the villagers, especially the youngsters, motivates me. Their desire for sustainable development through responsible tourism is the source of my energy. Besides, I was born and raised in the village and I have a very strong connection with the village,” said Longkumer about his motivation to work for the betterment of the community.
He further added that they have undertaken a number of initiatives in the village, including plastic-free campaign, zero-waste campaign, afforestation and rural aesthetic development, behavioral change towards cleanliness and sanitation, and promotion of other sustainable practices.
The ongoing projects of MCTS included Zero Waste Mopungchuket campaign; construction of life size Ao Naga traditional house, a native orchid garden, and children’s playground. It is working on identifying a trekking route and camping site for outdoor enthusiasts; promotion of home stay.
When queried about the future plans, he said, “Taking one day at a time. Hope new opportunities will open up for us. Time will tell but we will definitely be scaling up our current activities.”
Longkumer started reporting for The Morung Express as its Mokokchung correspondent in March of 2007 and was also appointed as a Swachh Bharat Ambassador for Mokokchung district in 2017.
After 15 years of working as a journalist, Longkumer launched his own newspaper Mokokchung Times in February 2022.
Meanwhile, the Mokokchung Press Club (MPC) has congratulated its president and editor of Mokokchung Times, Limalenden Longkumer, on winning the ‘Indian Responsible Tourism Awards 2022 (IRTA)’ under the category of “Grassroots Heroes.” The club secretary, Sashimeren, stated that his well-deserved achievement has made the club proud and proved that good things come to those who are willing to sacrifice. The club further wished him well in his future endeavours.