Khonoma, India's first green village, reopens for tourists

 

KOHIMA: Nagaland's Khonoma, India's first green village, has reopened for tourists after a COVID-19 induced ban on entry of outsiders.

 

 

The Khonoma Village Council and Khonoma Youth Organization along with Eco-Tourism Management Committee (ETMC) had earlier decided to reopen Khonoma for domestic tourists and visitors with effect from February 1.

 

 

A joint press release in this regard was issued on Sunday stipulating guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are to be followed by visitors.

 

 

It said that only tourists on pre-booking and package tours routed through Government registered tour operators would be allowed entry, provided they produce COVID-19 negative test reports done not earlier then three days prior to arrival in Nagaland. It also specified that the tests should be done through RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT.

 

 

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“Every tourist before his/her entry into the village must fulfill the directed SOPs given by the Government of Nagaland, Tourism Department dated December 22, 2020,” it added.

 

 

 

The release informed that it is mandatory for visitors/tourists planning to visit Khonoma Dzükou to take a local guide, provided by Khonoma Tour Operators. Those on picnic/ sightseeing trips should leave Khonoma jurisdiction by 5:00 pm in the winter and 6:00 pm in the summer, it stated.

 

 

Advising all visitors and tourists to follow safe practices of wearing masks, washing hands maintaining social distancing, the release cautioned that visitors and tourists found violating the aforementioned SOPs would be penalized by the KYO.