The first green village in Asia, Khonoma located in Kohima district, has been chosen as one of the 50 tourist destinations in India. The Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, made the announcement during his visit to Khonoma village, stating that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has selected the village in the tourism challenge mode project. The Minister for Horticulture and Women Resource Development, Salhoutuono Kruse, confirmed the news and thanked the Minister for identifying Khonoma village as one of the top tourist destinations of India.
The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the selection of at least 50 destinations to be developed as a complete package of tourism while presenting the union budget for 2023-24 on February 1st. The focus of tourism development is to be on domestic as well as foreign tourists and will employ an integrated and innovative approach using challenge mode.
To strengthen domestic tourism, skilled professionals and entrepreneurs will also be trained and developed to achieve the objectives of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative, as proposed in the budget for 2023-24. The proposal also stated that tourism infrastructure in border villages will be facilitated under the vibrant villages programme, along with other high standards such as an app that will provide relevant information on tourist destinations, physical and virtual connectivity, tourist guides, food streets, security, and other aspects that enhance tourist experience.
The development of Khonoma village as a tourist destination is expected to attract more visitors to Nagaland, thereby increasing economic growth in the region. The community hall at Terhotsiese, Khonoma, hosted the program in honor of the Minister of Tourism and Higher Education’s visit to the village. Salhoutuonuo Kruse, along with the members of Khonoma Village Council, Khonoma Youth Organisation (KYO), and Khonoma Eco Tourism Committee (ETMC), received the Minister upon arrival in the village.
