Kohima: When someone next visits Nagaland, one can experience the Naga culture and cuisine more authentically.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually unveiled the 'Tribal Cultural Experience' project in the newly carved out Chumoukedima district of Nagaland. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, this initiative seeks to enhance tribal cultural immersion for visitors at the Midway Retreat recreation center between the state capital Kohima, and the commercial hub Dimapur. 

The Tribal Cultural Experience promises tourists the chance to stay in traditional cottages and immerse themselves in the Naga way of life. The project, under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, encompasses bamboo cottages, tourist family lodges, workshop and exhibition spaces, an open-air theatre, and more.

"Nagaland missed out on the industrial and green revolution but should take advantage of joining the bandwagon of the tourism sector", Kitto Zhimomi, the state tourism commissioner & secretary said in reaction to this development.

'Swadesh Darshan' is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Tourism, for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits. The scheme aims to promote, develop, and harness the potential of tourism in India.

"The Swadesh Darshan scheme, with its first phase covering districts of Peren, Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang is now extending to Niuland and Chümoukedima districts in Nagaland and would eventually cover all districts, fostering tourism-driven economic growth", Zhimomi added.

Zhimomi revealed that projects completed under Swadesh Darshan 1.0 would soon be inaugurated in Nagaland, creating employment opportunities, particularly for students at the Institute of Hotel Management in Dimapur. He also praised Tsiepama village's support and urged continued collaboration to propel the tourism industry forward.

Kejaroko Pieru, President of the Nagaland Association of Tour Operators (NATO), stressed the need for infrastructure development to realize the tourism potential fully and empowerment of local communities.

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