Nature-inspired bee tourism trail inaugurated at Kisama ahead of Hornbill Festival 2023

KOHIMA — An interesting feature has been added to the 24th edition of the Hornbill Festival 2023, with the Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) introducing the ‘Bee and Honey Trail,’ covering a 2 kilometre route from Kisama to Mima.

The trail was officially inaugurated by Abu Metha, advisor to the chief minister and chairman of Investments and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), at Kisama on Wednesday.

This initiative, a collaboration with Mima village and India Trail, promises visitors a unique immersive experience about beekeeping and honey production at the Thawuzu Bee Farm in Mima.

Neilazonuo Terhüja of NBHM said that the primary objective of the trail is to raise awareness about the vital role of beekeeping through a hands-on sensory journey.

Speaking at the event, Abu Metha highlighted the multibillion-dollar potential of the beekeeping and honey industry, while emphasising the positive impact it has made on agriculture and rural sectors.

He lauded the Nagaland government’s commitment to promote grassroots and experiential tourism, saying that the ‘Bee and Honey Trail’ would not only be interesting for the visitors but also eye-opening for the local community.

He also underscored the important role played by bees in the ecosystem as pollinators, besides producing honey. ‘With Nagaland being one of the biological hotspots of the world, it is important that we understand apiculture, preserve and promote this sector not only for the economy, but for preservation of the nature and biodiversity as a whole,’ he said.

Metha went on to congratulate the NBHM for reimagining the project and linking the economy of the honey industry to the tourism, as well as thanked the stakeholders at the grassroots level, especially the Mima community for coming forward, collaborating and partnering with the government.

‘Honey from Nagaland’ can be one of our best ambassadors, Metha said, while encouraging the beekeeping organisation to keep growing.

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