Nagaland Statehood Day

Context:  In 2023, Nagaland is celebrating its 61st Statehood Day. The Prime Minister has greeted the people of Nagaland on their Statehood Day.

About Nagaland

• Nagaland was formally recognized as a separate state on 1st December, 1963, with Kohima being declared as its capital. 
• The State of Nagaland Act, 1962, was enacted by the Parliament to give Nagaland statehood.

Foundation:             

• After India became independent in 1947, the Naga territory initially remained a part of Assam.
• However, a strong nationalist movement began seeking a political union of the Naga tribes, and extremists demanded outright secession from the Indian union. 
• This movement led to a number of violent incidents, and in 1955 the Indian army was called in to restore order. 
  • In 1963, the Naga people agreed to form a state part of an independent India.

Hornbill Festival

• Conceptualized in the year 2000, the Hornbill Festival is a ten-day annual tourism promotional event organized by the State Government.
• Aim: To showcase Nagaland’s rich and traditional cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity, and grandeur..
• Official Partners: Germany, the United States, and Colombia are official partners in 2023
• It is known as the ‘festival of festivals’. 
• It is also a tribute to the Hornbill bird, which is admired and revered by Nagas for its alertness and grandeur. 

Hornbill Bird:

• • The Great Indian Hornbill, a member of the hornbill family, is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
  • It is the official state bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.

• Conservation Status: 

• • IUCN: Near Threatened.
  • CITES: Appendix I 
  •  Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• Threats:

• • Hunting: It poses another substantial threat to the species as it displays predictable behavior when regularly visiting the same feeding sites and is easily targeted by local hunters.

News Source: HT