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.
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Naga Issue:
- The major demand of Naga groups has been a Greater Nagalim (sovereign statehood) which includes redrawing of boundaries to bring all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast under one administrative umbrella.
- It includes various parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, and Myanmar as well.
Naga Peace Accord:
- 1997: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 1997. According to it, the government would not push for counter-insurgency operations against the NSCN, while the rebels won’t target armed forces.
- 2015: On August 3, 2015, the Naga Peace Accord was signed with the Centre (Government of India), to end the insurgency in Nagaland.
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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:
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- 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.
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- IUCN: Near Threatened.
- CITES: Appendix I
- Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
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- 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
December 1, 2023