Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Kohima: Nagaland officials are preparing for the 27th Hornbill Festival, set for December 1 to 10 at the Kisama Heritage Village, 12 kilometers south of Kohima. Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Kovi Meyase met with tribal hohos on October 22 to finalize plans. He noted that President of India Droupadi Murmu is likely to attend the event.
The state cabinet plans to privatize the entire Kisama complex to manage long-term sustainability. Tribal leaders pushed back hard. They warned that selling off the heritage site could degrade local customs. Representatives cautioned the department that any shift in management must not destroy the core essence of Naga culture and tradition. They requested full transparency on the new business model before any final decisions. Tribal groups also demanded higher maintenance funds, noting that the current 1.5 lakh annual allocation fails to cover rising costs.
Logistics remain a hurdle. Director Veyielo Doulo announced that authorities will cap food stalls at 15 to keep the site clean. The government also pledged to maintain a plastic-free zone. Officials promised round-the-clock electricity and a boost in water storage to 5 lakh liters. Doulo confirmed that one company of the Indian Reserve Battalion is currently stationed at the site to bolster security.
Deadlines are tight. Tribes must finish renovating their respective morungs by the second week of November. The department also addressed complaints regarding space, noting that ten government agencies already crowd the venue, making further construction difficult. While the state eyes a slight jump in attendance, officials are still sorting out concerns that the renamed tribal festival in other districts might pull focus from the main event in Kisama.
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