DIMAPUR, April 6 - Nagaland Government will organise mini Hornbill festivals across the districts of the State to promote tourism, said Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday.
In this connection, Rio said, the State Government will support the tribal hohos to celebrate the tribal festivals which will be known to others as Mini Hornbill Festival to attract tourists throughout the year. The festival will enable the tourists to see our rich culture and tradition and witness songs and dances, he said.
He was addressing the 27th anniversary of Konyak Gazette Officers� Union at Council Hall, Mon town.
Highlighting the key focus areas of the new People�s Democratic Alliance (PDA) Government, the CM said the government will focus on promotion of tourism which can add to the economy besides creating jobs for the people.
�My government has decided to promote tourism sector. Hornbill festival is world renowned and so we decided to have mini Hornbill festivals across the districts,� he stated.
He urged the tribal hohos to produce handloom and handicrafts and crops throughout the year so that they can exhibit their products and earn revenue during the festivals.
The CM also informed that the Hornbill Festival requires an investment of around Rs 4-5 crore but produces a turnover of approximately Rs 51 crore. He said the government will train tour operators, tourist guides and agents so that tourists will get a first hand narration of our great history and culture.
To this end, he said, the government has decided to build a convention centre and tourist guest house in Mon town and many other areas in eastern Nagaland districts so that basic amenities can be made available to the tourists.
The Chief Minister also laid emphasis on air connectivity within the State for which a plan has already been submitted during his earlier tenure as Chief Minister. He said Foothill Road (Express Road) to Mon without going through Assam as well as the railway line to Tizit are included in the connectivity projects. He urged the people to come forward to give land for such projects. �If you want development, you should cooperate with the government,� he stressed.
Rio said it is the endeavour of the government to serve the people and reiterated to bring change in the next five years be it in infrastructure, sports, tourism, agri and allied sectors.
