Nagaland – The Nagaland government has constituted a standing high-powered committee to serve as the governing body of the Hornbill Festival, signalling a move towards centralised oversight of the state’s flagship cultural event.
Approved by the Governor, the committee has been entrusted with wide-ranging responsibilities, from policy direction and strategic planning to inter-departmental coordination and financial monitoring. It will also vet corporate social responsibility contributions and sponsorships, ensuring transparency in the management of one of Northeast India’s most prominent cultural showcases.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will chair the body, which includes both deputy chief ministers, several cabinet ministers, advisors, and senior bureaucrats. The Chief Secretary has been designated as member secretary. The committee brings together officials from tourism, art and culture, industries and commerce, horticulture, and other key departments, alongside representatives from cultural organisations.
The panel will exercise authority over operational matters at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, the permanent venue of the festival. This includes site allocation, pricing of materials and events, and approval of cultural or musical programmes scheduled outside the festival period. It will also track progress against defined outcomes and endorse strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the festival’s impact.
Officials said the creation of the committee is intended to streamline decision-making and improve coordination across departments, thereby enhancing the visitor experience at the Hornbill Festival, which draws thousands of domestic and international tourists each December.
A convenor and festival director will be appointed from among the committee members to handle day-to-day coordination. With its broad mandate covering both strategic vision and practical operations, the new body is expected to provide comprehensive governance for the festival’s future editions.
