The Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society (MCTS) organized a one-day workshop on tourism transformation under the theme “Reflect, Reconnect, Reimagine” on July 4 at Longrangtenem Park, Mopungchuket village. The workshop commemorated 25 years since the inception of MCTS in 2001 and served as a platform to reflect on the community’s tourism journey while envisioning a renewed future for Mopungchuket as a tourism destination.
The workshop brought together 22 stakeholder groups, comprising members of the Mopungchuket Village Council, church representatives, women and youth leaders, student bodies, school teachers, self-help groups, cultural organizations, and community members.
In his introductory note, Limalenden Longkumer, Convener of MCTS, stated that the initiative aimed to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past 25 years, reconnect community stakeholders to a shared tourism vision, reimagine the future of Mopungchuket as a tourism destination, and draft a community-driven roadmap for tourism development in the next decade.
Amba Jamir, Policy and Development Strategist and the resource person for the workshop, asserted in his address that the event was not merely a routine seminar but rather a day of revival, reflection, and rallying. He emphasized the importance of having a shared vision—not only for tourism but for the holistic development of the village.
“When a community lacks vision, even the most tireless efforts may fall short of achieving meaningful progress,” he remarked.
He noted that one of the enduring challenges across Naga society, both socially and politically, is the absence of a shared and community-owned vision.
Highlighting the core philosophy of Community-Based Tourism (CBT), Jamir underlined that CBT is a model wherein tourism is owned, managed, and shaped by the local community. It promotes cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and equitable distribution of benefits. He stressed that in CBT, tourists are not consumers but guests, and that the community must lead the process in order for everyone to benefit.
Addressing the misconception that tourism development necessitates grand physical infrastructure, he argued that authentic community tourism is sustained not by luxury resorts but by the knowledge systems, cultural practices, and lived experiences of the local people.
“Tourism will not come because of buildings,” he said. “It will come because of who we are—our governance, our food, our way of life, our stories, and our ancient wisdom.”
Jamir lamented the gradual loss of indigenous food varieties due to the decline in farming and urged the community to revive agricultural practices as an integral part of the tourism ecosystem. He also emphasized the critical role of women in community development and tourism, noting that many activities essential to tourism are traditionally undertaken by women and must be recognized and supported.
He further reflected on how cultural knowledge—including lullabies, folk tales, and rituals—is slowly disappearing and called for renewed efforts in documentation, preservation, and intergenerational transmission of these intangible heritage elements.
Drawing attention to Mopungchuket’s unique tourism potential, Jamir revisited the village’s natural, historical, and cultural assets—such as the legend of Jina and Etiben, Ao Naga heritage, a clean and hospitable environment, and existing infrastructure including a rest house, scenic trails, and road access. However, he also identified several pressing challenges, including the limited authority and resources of the existing Tourism Committee, a shortage of homestays, low income from tourism, the disappearance of traditional crafts, weak youth engagement, and the lack of structured planning and marketing. He also pointed to a growing concern over the loss of cultural authenticity in the face of commercialization.
He reminded participants that tourism in Mopungchuket is not merely a developmental project, but a movement for cultural survival, ecological stewardship, and intergenerational legacy.
Other highlights of the program included a participatory exercise where stakeholders were divided into three groups and tasked with proposing solutions in key areas: Systems and Management, Revenue Generation, and Addressing Authenticity and Migration. Amba Jamir also delivered a PowerPoint presentation showcasing success stories of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) from other regions.
The workshop concluded with a collective pledge by the 22 stakeholder groups, reaffirming their commitment and reinforcing the urgency to act and contribute to revitalizing tourism in Mopungchuket. The program was made possible with the support of Er R Lobosang Jamir, Additional Chief Engineer (Design & Regulation), Department of Power, Nagaland, Kohima.