KOHIMA, Nov 28 - In addition to performances by 17 major tribes of Nagaland and artistes from the North East, cultural troupes from Thailand and Hungary will perform in the 20th edition of the State-organised Hornbill Festival that will commence from December 1, a senior official said today.
Addressing reporters here, Adviser for Tourism, Art and Culture Khehovi Yeputhomi said the 10-day festival would be held in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Phek and Wokha districts, with the main arena being the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama near here.
�Apart from cultural performances, trekking and hiking to Mount Teyozwu and Dzukhou Valley, heritage walk in Kohima, a World War II rally and stone-pulling event at Mima will be organised as part of the Hornbill Festival,� he said.
Yeputhomi stated that the event would be inaugurated at the heritage village at 4 pm on December 1. He said that Tourism ministers of different States, besides officials from the Union Ministry of Tourism, would take part in the festivities that would be hosted by Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
The official said the Nagaland Government has allotted Rs 5 crore for the festival this year. �The State Government had earned Rs 45 crore last year from the festival by providing a platform to local entrepreneurs.
�Over 2.5 lakh visitors, including 2,702 foreigners, 37,397 domestic tourists and 2.11 lakh visitors from within the State, had thronged Kisama last year,� he added. Additional Director of the Tourism Department, Akhale Vizol said the heritage village at Kisama and the night bazaar in Kohima will be plastic-free. � PTI
A Newmai News report from Dimapur adds: Ahead of the Hornbill Festival, the local administration on Wednesday notified that there would be a strict ban on the sale of tobacco products during the ensuing carnival at Heritage Village, Kisama, the main venue of the festival which is located a few kilometres from the State capital, Kohima.
The government notification said, �In exercise of the power conferred by section 21, 24 and 25 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, there should be effective implementation of Section 4 of COPTA 2003 i.e. prohibition of smoking in public places. Any person violating this order shall be liable to be punished as per the law.�
The internationally known Hornbill Festival will kick off on December 1. Both domestic and foreign tourists visit Nagaland in large numbers to participate in the mega festival every year.
