Chengu Festival 2025 spotlights Tizu Valley’s cultural heritage and eco-tourism potential, blending tradition, conservation, and sustainable development.

The Chengu Festival 2025, hosted at Kivikhu village within the Kivikhu Community Conserved Area (CCA), has emerged as a major catalyst in positioning Nagaland’s Tizu Valley as a prominent tourism destination. Organized by the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network, the 5.0 edition of the festival revolved around the theme “Conserving Culture and Natural Heritage”, emphasizing the rich cultural traditions and biodiversity of the region while advocating for sustainable tourism.

A Festival with a Vision for Tourism Growth

The Chengu Festival has gained momentum in recent years, and if local communities continue to push for tourism development, it is likely to become a permanent fixture in Nagaland’s annual tourism calendar, ensuring government funding and wider recognition.

Among the key dignitaries present at the festival was Veyielo Doulo, Director of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, who has been a strong proponent of Tizu Valley’s tourism potential. Marking his second visit to the festival, Doulo highlighted the economic opportunities that tourism could bring to the valley. He described the Chengu Festival as a unique platform for both thanksgiving and reconciliation, merging cultural heritage with biodiversity conservation.

Praising the efforts of Ivan Zhimomi, Team Leader of the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Network, Doulo commended the team for securing international recognition for the valley’s ecological significance. He also encouraged local communities to actively engage in conservation efforts and tourism development, stating that sustainable tourism could provide a long-term boost to the local economy.

A Green Future: Energy and Tourism Integration

One of the festival’s key highlights was the launch of Aboriginal Energy Pvt. Ltd’s Green Power Solutions, an initiative aimed at integrating renewable energy with tourism growth. The introduction of green energy solutions aligns with Nagaland’s commitment to sustainable development, reinforcing the idea that tourism and conservation can go hand in hand.

T. Kakihe Aye, Additional Director of Tourism and a key member of the Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network, echoed similar sentiments. He strongly advocated for the festival’s inclusion in Nagaland’s tourism calendar, stressing that it could serve as an anchor event for regional tourism promotion. Aye also proposed the creation of a village tourism board or a joint tourism committee comprising Sukhai, Ghukhuyi, and Kivikhu villages, ensuring collaborative efforts in conservation and tourism management.

Cultural Showcases and Community Participation

The Chengu Festival 2025 featured a vibrant array of traditional performances, cultural competitions, and interactive community programs, offering visitors an immersive experience into the customs and heritage of the region. Here are some of the festival’s most captivating highlights:

• Traditional War Dance Performance – A riveting showcase of the warrior spirit and historical legacy of the region.
• Rice Winnowing Competition – A tribute to the agricultural traditions of Nagaland, demonstrating ancient techniques still practiced today.
• Fire-Making Demonstration – An exhibition of indigenous survival skills, reflecting the deep connection between people and nature.
• Cultural Games and Competitions – Engaging activities that highlighted the unique customs and traditions of the Tizu Valley communities.

The festival also hosted a community interactive session, an essay competition, and a prize distribution ceremony, fostering greater engagement among the youth and local residents.

Among the notable speakers at the event were Dr. T Yetovi Tuccu, Joint Director of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, Jeffrey Silverman from Conservation International, and Kasturi Navalkar from Value Network Ventures. Their insights underscored the importance of biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism, and community-driven initiatives in transforming Nagaland into a sustainable tourism hub.

A Promising Future for the Chengu Festival

With a collective push towards heritage conservation and eco-tourism, the Chengu Festival is on the verge of becoming a hallmark event in Nagaland’s tourism landscape. By merging cultural traditions with environmental consciousness, the festival has not only reinforced the identity of the Tizu Valley’s indigenous communities but also showcased the untapped potential of the region as a thriving travel destination.

If local stakeholders, government bodies, and conservation organizations continue working in unison, the Chengu Festival could soon evolve into an internationally recognized event, drawing eco-conscious travelers, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts from across the globe.

As the festival grows in prominence, it stands as a beacon of hope for both tourism development and biodiversity conservation, proving that tradition, nature, and modern sustainability efforts can coexist harmoniously for the benefit of future generations.

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