Context:

Nagaland government is organising the 25th Hornbill Festival from 1st December to 10th December 2024 at Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima, Nagaland. 

Hornbill Festival

• It is famously known as the “Festival of Festivals” as it reflects the rich culture, lifestyle, and food habits of Nagaland.
• It is the largest celebration of the Indigenous Warrior Tribes of Nagaland & generally celebrated for 10 days.
• It has been organised by the government of Nagaland since the year 2000.
• Named after the revered Hornbill bird, the festival showcases the culture, heritage, food and customs of Naga tribes and people from these tribes come together to celebrate their traditions with colourful dance performances. 
• The annual programme brings all the 17 tribes of the state on a platform and facilitates the promotion of their culture to the rest of the world. 

About Great Hornbill

• The great hornbill is found in primary evergreen and moist deciduous forests, primarily inhabiting the Himalayan foothills, the Northeast and the Western Ghats. 
• It is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• It is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala. The state bird of Nagaland is Blyth's tragopan. 
• India is home to 9 hornbill species, with the northeastern region exhibiting the highest diversity of these species in the country.