The 5.0 edition of the Chengu Festival, organized by the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN), will take place on February 25, 2025, at Kivikhu village, Zunheboto District. The festival, themed “Conserving the Cultural and Natural Heritage,” is aimed at promoting Nagaland’s rich biodiversity and cultural practices.
The event will feature a variety of traditional Naga indigenous games, such as war dances, thishole, thighale, a winnowing rice competition for women, and traditional fire-making for men. Special Guest Veyielo Doulo, Director of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, and Dr. T Yetovi Tuccu, Joint Director, Health and Family Welfare, will attend. A community session, an essay competition, and prize distribution are also part of the program.
The Chengu Festival, which translates to “Biodiversity Festival,” is focused on raising awareness about the importance of conservation and the sustainable use of resources. This is the fifth edition of the festival, which was first held in January 2019. It is part of an ongoing effort to highlight and preserve the biodiversity hotspots in the region.
TVBCLN has been at the forefront of environmental conservation in Nagaland, with initiatives such as carbon trading through the Plan Vivo platform for Zunheboto District. The organization partners with Value Network Ventures and The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) on various projects aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, preserving indigenous knowledge, and enhancing livelihoods.
In line with the festival’s focus on conservation, the Community Conserved Areas Forum (NCCAF) is calling on the state government to develop a Community Conserved Areas (CCA) policy, which would support local communities in their conservation efforts.
“We are excited to host the 5.0 edition of the Chengu Festival, which celebrates the unique cultural heritage and biodiversity of Nagaland,” said Ivan Zhimomi, the festival organizer. “We invite everyone to join us in this vibrant celebration and promote the preservation of our rich cultural and natural resources.”