Why in news?
The hornbill festival is celebrated in Nagaland every year.
About it:
- To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December.
- The 1st Hornbill Festival was inaugurated by the then President Dr. S Radhakrishnan on 1st December 1963.
- It is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima.
- All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival.
- The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.
- It is also called the “Festival of Festivals”.
- The festival pays tribute to Hornbill, the most revered bird for the Na
About Great Hornbill:
- The great hornbill (Bucerosbicornis) also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, greatIndian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family.
- They are found in the forests of North eastern region of India, Bhutan, Nepal, Mainland Southeast Asia, Indonesian Island of Sumatra.
- They are also found in a few forest areas in the Western Ghats and in the forests along the Himalayas.
- It is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity.
- It will prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds.
- IUCN status- Vulnerable
- Note: The great hornbill is the state bird of Chin State in Myanmar, and of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh in India. Blyth’s tragopan is the state bird of Nagaland.
