Abenthung Kikon’s remarkable campaign to preserve Tsumang Lake in Wokha Town

How a local advocate for eco-tourism has been empowering communities and protecting nature in Wokha town

Arenjungla Kichu | Wokha

As Nagaland prepares to celebrate World Environment Day on 5 June, Abenthung Kikon, a resident of Wokha Town, has sounded a challenge to the people of Wokha: ‘Save Tsumang Lake.’

Known for his efforts in promoting eco-tourism in Nagaland, particularly in Wokha district, 33-year-old Kikon has been spearheading initiatives to bring about positive environmental changes in the region over the past few years.

Kikon’s journey towards environmental advocacy began in 2016 when he visited the renowned Dzuko Valley. The trip served as an eye-opener, inspiring him to realize the untapped potential for tourism in Wokha. Motivated by this revelation, Kikon attended a 14-day incubation training program on adventure tourism at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship in Guwahati. However, in his words, he says, “I was half-cooked with even the basic knowledge” and added that the 14-day training felt like a day or two.

So, his thirst for knowledge led him to pursue further education, and he subsequently enrolled in the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) in Arunachal Pradesh. There, he gained his knowledge in tourist guiding, mountaineering, and rescue operations.

In 2019, Kikon initiated a social media campaign challenging the people of Wokha to clean Mount Tiyi. Mount Tiyi, he says, is highly significant since it is the highest mountain in Wokha district and is considered as the ancestral abode of departed souls, adorned with rhododendrons of various colors.

He also feels that, while there are many organizations that participate in plantation drives, the number of plants and trees are decreasing due to a lack of sufficient commitment and, therefore, there is an urgent need for creating awareness.

His first campaign in 2019 garnered a positive response with dozens of individuals joining him in cleaning the mountain and joining him in declaring Mount Tiyi a “No Plastic Zone”. He recalled how the district administration intended to join them but was unable to due to a “heavy downpour” that year.

Building on his success, Kikon organized a plantation drive in a natural pond in 2020 and repeated the cleaning campaign on Mount Tiyi in 2021, this time attracting the participation of 59 individuals. The increasing number of participants indicated that the campaign was effectively raising awareness.

“I discovered that the campaign was becoming more effective because the waste we collected from Mount Tiyi the second time was significantly lesser than the waste we collected the first time,” Kikon said, attributing this progress to the simple act of placing dustbins, which created a sense of environmental responsibility among the community.

In 2022, Kikon along with a group who supported his campaign undertook a plantation drive in the famous Doyang reservoir area.

Now, in 2023, his focus is on Tsumang Lake, located in the heart of Wokha Town. Highlighting the lake’s significance, Kikon emphasized the need for proper maintenance and a drainage system. According to Kikon, Tsumang Lake has the potential to transform into a park and a hub for outdoor recreational activities if it is cleaned and maintained effectively.

When asked about the success of his campaign, Kikon expressed optimism, stating, “I see a lot of changes, and people are responding very positively to our campaign.” He noted that while it was initially challenging, he realized that society simply required someone to take the lead. Kikon believes that once a leader steps forward, the community readily follows initiatives that promote positive change.

He further shared his enthusiasm, noting that Tsumang Lake’s location in the heart of Wokha Town enables even the elderly, who may have been unable to climb mountains like Mount Tiyi, to actively participate.

“This time, I have been receiving lots of positive responses from all sections of the society including the women organizations,” he said.

The ‘Save Tsumang Lake’ campaign is scheduled to take place on 5 June, starting at 7:00 am in Wokha Town.

Mokokchung Times