Kohima; October 2026:Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged for coordinated efforts among government departments and local communities to ensure the smooth conduct of the 27th edition of the Hornbill Festival, scheduled to be organised from 01st December 2026 to 10th December 2026, while acknowledging the need for a further review of road conditions leading to the venue.
While addressing the media personnel after a High Power Committee (HPC) meeting at Bamboo Hall, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Chief minister Neiphiu Rio said departments had submitted their preparedness reports and the government was working to ensure a comfortable experience for visitors. He said a separate meeting would be convened to examine road-related issues. In a social media post following the meeting, Rio said officials from various line and sectoral departments had reviewed preparations for the festival. He stressed the need for collective efforts and directed departments to designate nodal officers to improve coordination and ensure timely action.
According to official release, Rio has also called on villages to take responsibility for keeping roads clean, particularly highways passing through or near their areas. He highlighted the need for reliable power and water supply, security, traffic management, cleanliness, parking and public conveniences. When being asked about the chief guest for the festival, Rio said invitations had been sent and confirmation is awaited.
On the proposed public-private partnership (PPP) model for managing Kisama Heritage Village, the chief minister said the process was underway and tender documents were being prepared. The Minister for Tourism and Higher Education Temjen Imna Along said departments are working to complete arrangements at Kisama and across the state. He expressed confidence that the festival would be conducted successfully. Temjen Along has said the government intended to develop tourism into a year-round industry, with Kisama Naga Heritage Village operating beyond the festival period to attract visitors and create opportunities for stakeholders to engage with Nagaland’s cultural heritage.
On partner countries for the festival, Along said several countries had expressed interest, but the HPC would take the final decision in consultation with stakeholders. An official announcement would be made by the chief minister, Temjen Imna Along said.
Meanwhile, Advisor to the Chief Minister Abu Metha described the Hornbill Festival as a major platform for international engagement and economic activity, saying it had grown from a three-day event to a 10-day festival featuring more than 300 events across multiple venues in the state. He said the festival had helped introduce Nagaland to international audiences and that extensions in other districts were emerging as additional tourist attractions.
Metha also called for greater emphasis on sustainable event management, including rainwater harvesting, proper waste disposal and renewable energy. He highlighted opportunities for international partnerships and collaborations in art, music and films to promote the state’s creative economy.
Commissioner and Secretary for Tourism Kovi Meyase outlined logistical requirements, including water supply, sanitation and the streamlining of vehicle passes. The Department of Art and Culture briefed the meeting on arrangements for cultural troupes and tribal guests, while the Department of Youth Resources and Sports outlined planned activities, including an e-sports tournament.
With cognizance to the forthcoming Hornbill Festival, the government of Nagaland has renewed its appeal to the Central government to lift the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in the state, stating that its reimposition in December 2024 has adversely affected tourism and investment. The Cabinet made the appeal at its meeting on October 10, while passing a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government.
According to a DIPR update, the Cabinet acknowledged that the ceasefire and ongoing peace process had brought peace and stability to Nagaland over the years, while tourism had emerged as an increasingly important pillar of the state’s economy and a source of livelihood and employment, particularly for young people. However, it stated, the reimposition of the PAP regime had adversely affected the sector and investment in the state.
The government had made several requests to the Centre to withdraw the restrictions. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly had also unanimously adopted a resolution appealing to the Centre to withdraw the PAP regime and restore the earlier relaxation.
The Cabinet expressed hope that the Centre would consider the request favourably and lift the regime at the earliest. The Cabinet also acknowledged the Centre’s role in efforts to resolve the Naga political issue, referring to the 2015 Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) and the 2017 Agreed Position with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups.
It has lauded the appointment of Ajit Lal as the Centre’s interlocutor for the peace talks and the decision to constitute a state-level team led by a minister or a group of ministers, describing these as steps towards an early, honourable and mutually acceptable settlement. The Cabinet further highlighted the 05th February, 2026, tripartite memorandum of agreement for the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), involving the Centre, the state government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation. The FNTA Bill was introduced in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 01st September this year (2026) and unanimously passed on September 03rd.
It has also acknowledged the June 11 tripartite memorandum of understanding between the governments of India, Assam and Nagaland to facilitate oil and natural gas exploration and production in the Disputed Area Belt along the Nagaland-Assam border. Among infrastructure projects cited by the Cabinet were the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Kohima, the Shokhuvi railway station, the extension of the railway line to Zubza and the four-laning of the Dimapur-Kohima National Highway.
The Nagaland Cabinet has also expressed its appreciation for the Centre’s support for proposed projects, including the Foothill Road, an airport at Ciethu in Kohima, an Indian Institute of Technology and an AIIMS in Nagaki city, Chümoukedima, as well as waterways and hydroelectric projects. The resolution also praised central initiatives such as Digital India, Swachh Bharat, the Scheme for Special Assistance for Capital Investment and the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region, saying they had contributed to infrastructure development and economic growth.
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