As the Silver Jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival begins on December 1 at Kisama, the focus is back on the event’s economic impact and infrastructure improvements. Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along highlighted the festival’s growth, with around Rs 100 crore invested and an annual budget of Rs 6.5 crore. While the festival is getting bigger, the key question remains: Are these investments paying off?
Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of IDAN, has praised the festival’s economic impact, calling it “remarkable.” A Morung Express report published Metha citing an independent analysis estimating that past editions of the festival have generated around Rs 200 crore in revenue. The economic benefits, Metha noted, are felt across various sectors, including hospitality, transport, and small-scale entrepreneurship. He added, “Over 8,500 jobs were created in previous years,” underlining the festival’s role as a key economic driver for Nagaland.
However, it is unclear which specific years these estimates refer to, raising questions about whether these figures are based on recent trends or reflect cumulative data over the festival’s 25-year history.
Nagaland Tourism officials in a conversation with IANS, expressed optimism for this year, projecting an even larger turnout than last year’s 1.54 lakh visitors. Tourism Director Velo Doulo hopes that the visitors will be doubled this year.
However, as the festival continues to grow, so do the demands on its infrastructure. According to Metha, about Rs 100 crore has been invested on improving Kisama’s infrastructure, including a new amphitheater and renovated galleries which was funded over a period of 2 years in a phase-wise manner. These upgrades are intended to make the site useful for more than just the 10-day festival, with plans for future events like concerts and expos. But the question remains: Is this investment in infrastructure necessary, especially when the state still faces infrastructure challenges in other areas?
While the festival’s infrastructure upgrades are being prioritized, critical infrastructure improvements in rural areas, where basic roads and healthcare facilities remain underdeveloped, continue to face delays.
The state government also faced criticism for what some have called a ‘lipstick’ repair of roads for the festival and also the delay in constructing the crucial Foothills Road.
The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), referring to it as a ‘People’s Project’ vital for communities bordering Assam, has repeatedly emphasized the urgency of completing the road. The NFHRCC has warned that further delays could have serious consequences and that “merrymaking should not surpass developmental activities.” To address the matter, the NFHRCC will hold an Emergency Consultative Meeting on December 2, 2024, in Dimapur with tribal organizations and youth committees.
While the Hornbill Festival is widely regarded for promoting Naga culture, its environmental impact is an ongoing concern. According to Nagaland Pollution Control Board, in 2023, the event’s opening day generated over 763 kg of waste, with disposable plates and cups comprising the majority. Other waste included single-use plastics, food waste, and aluminum cans.
Air quality during the festival has also been a point of contention. Last year, pollution levels at Kisama surpassed national safety standards, with concentrations recorded at 239 μg/m³ in the main arena. The acceptable levels of concentration for 24 hours was 100 μg/m3 as per the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Nagaland Pollution Control Board has called for improved waste management practices and efforts to reduce the festival’s carbon footprint in future editions.
Though the Hornbill Festival plays an important role in raising Nagaland’s profile and supporting its economy, critics argue that the benefits mostly go to tourism and hospitality. Districts outside Kohima and Dimapur, and those not directly involved in tourism, might not see much economic benefit.
Additionally, the festival’s inclusivity and sustainability need more attention. Without addressing these issues, the festival could end up serving only a small segment of the population, rather than benefiting the entire state.
As the festival celebrates its silver jubilee, the crucial question remains: Can the Hornbill Festival evolve to better balance cultural promotion, economic growth, and sustainability, while ensuring that the benefits are felt across the entire state and not just in the tourism sector?
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