Hornbill Festival 2018: Nagaland government earmarks INR 5 cr

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 26 (EMN): The government of Nagaland is said to have allocated an amount of INR 5 cr. for the 19th edition of the annual Hornbill Festival, scheduled to be held from Dec. 1-10th.

Advisor to Tourism, Art and Culture, Khehovi Yepthomi disclosed this during a press conference on Monday in Kohima. He said though the amount is not enough—about 80% of it outsourced—the department is trying to manage with what is available. He pointed out that the department sponsors all the activities incorporated into the festival.

The turnover belongs to the entrepreneurs and the various event organisers, he said, adding that the department’s only revenue from the festival comes from parking tax and entry fees at the main venue at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. He mentioned that 50% of this is given to the volunteers.

It was informed that the activities and events of the festival would be held across Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Phek and Wokha district.

Additional director and head of Tourism department, Akhale V Khamo informed that many of the old activities will be continued but there were some exceptional additions to late afternoon/evening activities at Kisama. These include an evening with Naga female artistes, oldies night, Mahila band and Naga Territorial Regiment band, talent show, traditional evening park at Kholera ground (Kigwema) and a Hornbill night parade by all the cultural troupes. The official said as this year’s festival touches two Sundays, the first Sunday evening will see a chorale fest while the second will be a Christmas carol night.

The activities in the other districts are Hornbill International Music Festival, Hornbill Angling Fest, Nagaland Honey Bee Day and International Loin Loom Fest in Dimapur; People’s Festival at Khezhakeno in Phek; mountain biking in Mokokchung; and Hornbill Angling Fest at Doyang in Wokha.

As per government statistics, last year’s Hornbill Festival had seen an inflow of 2401 foreign tourists, 38700 domestic tourists, and more than two lakh visitors from within the state.

Rajnath Singh on opening day

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will be attending the inaugural function of this year’s Hornbill Festival on Dec. 1 at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama at 3.30 pm.

Governor PB Acharya and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be the chief host and host of the event respectively while the US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster will be gracing the inaugural programme as an honoured guest.