Roundtable talk: Mopungchuket village envisions tourism boom

MOKOKCHUNG — The Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society (MCTS) hosted a roundtable talk on ‘Mopungchuket tourism – from ideation to action’ at the MSM conference hall in Mopungchuket village on October 4.

The session shifted focus from traditional community-based tourism (CBT) to empowering individual entrepreneurs within a collaborative framework, positioning the village as a vibrant tourism hub.

Resource person Dr. Limasenla Jamir, Assistant Professor at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, guided the discussion with actionable strategies for locals to step up as tourism stakeholders.

Drawing on her expertise, she spotlighted diverse opportunities: establishing homestays, cultural storytelling circles, agro-tourism ventures, guided heritage walks, tea garden immersions, and eco-nature trails.

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Emphasising Mopungchuket's ‘Clean and cultural village’ ethos, Dr. Jamir urged blending it with entrepreneurial spirit and digital savvy.

She stressed essential training in hospitality, communication, hygiene, and first aid to elevate visitor experiences.

Key deliberations covered revenue models, governance structures, and sustainability measures for equitable income sharing and eco-responsibility.

Proposals included transparent revenue-sharing protocols and a dedicated tourism fund for upkeep, skill-building, and community welfare.

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To foster balance, Dr. Jamir suggested forming a homestay union for guest rotation, alongside workshops on hospitality basics, food safety, and online promotion via popular platforms.

Youth-focused initiatives encompassed heritage guide training, storytelling sessions on village legends like Jina and Etiben, and interactive workshops in weaving, traditional cuisine, and crafts.

For green practices, she championed eco-trekking paths, river adventures, and integrated waste management aligned with conservation norms.

The roundtable also tackled broader skill-building through hospitality and small business management sessions. Participants lauded the event for demystifying the leap from passion to practice, providing clear pathways for personal involvement in the tourism economy.

A sociologist, former journalist, and avid explorer, Dr. Jamir infused the talk with anecdotes from her journeys across Nagaland, the Northeast, and the Himalayas-capturing cultural nuances and landscapes with her signature detail-oriented lens. As an entrepreneur-artist helming her own creative brand, she weaves intellect with artistry.

Her conservation commitments shine through her roles in the Ungma–Longsa Dikhu Green Zone Project and as information secretary of the Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum.

ABAM youth secretary Butesen Ozukum observed the proceedings, while MCTS convener Limalenden Longkumer outlined the event's vision and objectives.