Nagaland Tribal groups oppose privatisation of Hornbill Festival venue, seek clarity
New Delhi:
Tribal organisations in Nagaland have raised concerns over the state government’s plan to privatise Kisama Heritage Village, the venue of the annual Hornbill Festival. Their main concerns include the future management of traditional tribal morungs and the need to protect the cultural importance of the site.
The issue came up at a consultative meeting organised by the Directorate of Tourism in Kohima on October 22 ahead of the festival’s 27th edition, scheduled from December 1 to 10.
Nagaland Tourism Secretary Kovi Meyase said the state Cabinet had decided to privatise the entire complex over concerns about its maintenance and long-term sustainability. Tribal representatives sought details of the proposed arrangement and called for further consultation before the government moves ahead. Meyase assured them that their concerns would be taken up with the government.
Tribal groups seek clarity on Morung management
The traditional morungs, which represent the culture and heritage of Nagaland’s tribes, were a key point of discussion. Representatives expressed reservations about placing these structures under private management and stressed that any new arrangement must protect their cultural significance.
The meeting also discussed the annual allocation of Rs 1.5 lakh for the maintenance and renovation of each morung. Tribal leaders said communities faced rising costs and called for an increase in funding. The Tourism Department said the matter would be raised with higher authorities and assured the organisations that funds would be released in time for renovation work.
Meyase urged the tribal organisations to complete work on their respective morungs by the second week of November.
Security, facilities and festival preparations
Other discussions focused on arrangements for the 10-day festival. Tourism Director Veyielo Doulo said one company of the Indian Reserve Battalion had been deployed at Kisama, with additional security planned during the event.
The department also proposed restricting the number of food stalls to 15 to improve cleanliness. The plastic-free zone policy will remain in force while officials said steps would be taken to ensure adequate water supply and uninterrupted electricity. The meeting discussed increasing water storage capacity to five lakh litres.
Space constraints were another concern, with officials saying additional morungs could not be built without acquiring more land. The proposed expansion of Hornbill-related events to other districts also drew mixed reactions with some participants worried that the Mini Hornbill Festival could overshadow the main event.
President Droupadi Murmu is likely to attend the 2026 festival. Held at Kisama, around 12 km south of Kohima, the Hornbill Festival showcases Nagaland’s diverse tribal cultures and traditions.