Tourism and Sustainable Transformation: In the Context of Nagaland

Tourism is growing rapidly across the world, and Nagaland too is a part of it. In my opinion, tourism is not only about visitors coming to see us, but also about how we present ourselves and who we are.

Nagaland is a small state in Northeast India, but it also has beautiful hills, forests, and a very rich culture. This makes our state very special compared to many other places. In the meantime, tourism should not only be about outsiders coming and enjoying themselves here, but also about how it changes the lives of the local people in a good and meaningful way.

The Present Scenario of Tourism in Nagaland

Currently, tourism is growing slowly in Nagaland. Take the example of the Hornbill Festival, which has turned into the biggest tourist attraction for the state, as people from mainland India and abroad seemed to be amazed by our traditions, cultures, food habits, and lifestyle. And this made me realise how valuable our culture is.

Other than the Hornbill Festival, places like Dzukou Valley; Saramati and Japfu peaks (highest and second highest peaks in Nagaland respectively); Shilloi lake in Meluri, which is known as the largest natural lake in Nagaland; and Khonoma, the first green village in India, are some of the popular destinations for visitors. However, it is very discouraging to see some tourists polluting the environment by littering, indicating the need for promoting responsible tourism.

We also have many other tribal festivals celebrated throughout the year, though not as famous as the Hornbill Festival. So, if we promote these festivals, there is potential to attract visitors from around the world.

Importance of Tourism in Nagaland

Tourism is very important as it can improve our economy as well as create opportunities for young enthusiastic people. Most of the people in Nagaland are dependent on farming, but it alone is not enough to achieve sustainable development. For instance, youth can also work as guides during state events such as Hornbill Festival, which can help them earn money and gain confidence.

Tourism also makes us appreciate our cultural heritage more. For instance, when a tourist admires our shawls, dances and food, we realize what we have is really valuable. It can also create opportunities for the youths, be it starting business like homestays or taking up handicrafts.

Tourism also connects Nagaland with the outside world. Many people in mainland India don’t know about Nagaland, forget about foreigners. This highlights the need to promote our culture to others. They will understand us better when they visit us.

Challenges in Tourism Development

There are many challenges to development of tourism in our state. For instance, poor road condition, including the NH-29, will give visitors a harrowing time. I also overheard a tourist complaining about absence of proper toilet in a village, and it made me realise how small things can spoil or enhance experience of visitors.

Another problem is the tendency to shorten and alter traditional practices for stage shows, which can make younger generation forget the original meaning. Also, careless tourism can spoil nature and its beauty. Plastic waste menace in Dzukou Valley is a good example.

The Way Forward: Sustainable Tourism

I believe tourism in Nagaland should focus on sustainability, because if we don’t, the future generation may not see the beauty that we see today. One good example is Khonoma village, which is known best for its moniker “Asia’s first green village”. Their idea of protecting forests, waste management and eco-tourism can be immolated by others. We can also learn from states like Meghalaya, which promotes eco-tourism.

Role of Youth in Tourism

I feel the youths of Nagaland are the most important assets in building sustainable tourism as they have good knowledge of both tradition and technology. Many of us are proactive on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many other social media platforms, where we can promote our culture and tourism. We should also learn skills like guiding, hospitality and small business management. This will not only support tourism but also make us more responsible.

The Future of Tourism in Nagaland

Nagaland has great potential to be a well-known tourism hotspot, but it must be sustainable. Proper road connectivity, better facilities and eco-tourism should be developed, and Hornbill Festival should not be the only highlight because every district has its own story.

Tourism can also include farming because many villages grow organic food and tourists can enjoy farm visits and fresh food. We should also carefully promote adventurous tourism like trekking, camping and bird watching.

To conclude, tourism in Nagaland is not just about visitors coming here, but also about bringing changes and creating opportunities for the youth. But this must happen in a way that protects our nature and traditions.

As a young person from the state, I feel it is our duty to make tourism a blessing, not a burden. It is like planting a tree: it may grow slowly, but in the future, it will give shade and fruit to everyone. Therefore, if we follow the path of sustainability, tourism can truly transform Nagaland.

Lamgousang

B.A. 3rd Semester

Department of Political Science, Modern College, Piphema