Khonoma Village, known as Asia's first green village, has been designated as one of the top 50 tourist destinations in India. Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, made the announcement during his visit to the village on Wednesday.

The selection of Khonoma as part of the Tourism Challenge Mode project highlights its immense potential in the tourism sector, reported Nagaland Post.

During a special event held at Terhotsiese, Khonoma Community Hall, Minister Along expressed the Tourism Ministry's recognition of Khonoma's prospects and its decision to include the village in the prestigious list of tourist destinations.

The event was attended by Minister for Horticulture and Woman Resource Development, Salhoutuono Kruse, as well as representatives from Khonoma Village Council, Khonoma Youth Organisation, and Khonoma Eco Tourism Committee.

The selection of these 50 destinations stems from an announcement made by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, during the presentation of the Union Budget 2023-24 on February 1.

The minister outlined plans to develop these destinations as comprehensive tourism packages, focusing on both domestic and foreign tourists.

To facilitate a seamless experience for visitors, an app will be launched, providing comprehensive information about the destinations, including physical and virtual connectivity, tourist guides, food streets, and security measures.

Furthermore, the government aims to strengthen domestic tourism by implementing sector-specific skilling initiatives and fostering entrepreneurship development as part of the "Dekho Apna Desh" (See Your Own Country) initiative. Additionally, under the Vibrant Villages Programme, tourist infrastructure and amenities will be enhanced to encourage tourism in border villages.

Salhoutuono Kruse expressed gratitude to Imna Along for the recognition bestowed upon Khonoma Village as one of the 50 prominent tourist destinations in the country.

This acknowledgment not only highlights the village's scenic beauty but also serves as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development in the region.