in sustainable event management, successfully implementing a zero-waste strategy that kept nearly 1 million single-use plastic items out of landfills. The festival, which celebrates the state’s rich cultural heritage, drew over 200,000 visitors while emphasizing environmental conservation.
In a first for such large-scale events in the region, the festival banned single-use plastics, replacing them with eco-friendly alternatives such as bamboo straws and leaf-based plates. Additional sustainability measures included the installation of water refilling stations to reduce plastic bottle usage and waste segregation stations to ensure proper recycling.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who inaugurated the event, hailed it as a “pioneering example of sustainable cultural celebration.” The festival also reduced its carbon footprint by preventing an estimated 50 metric tons of CO₂ emissions through local sourcing and efficient waste management practices. Volunteers and waste management teams played a crucial role in enforcing the zero-waste protocols, educating visitors about the importance of eco-friendly practices. Wet waste generated during the festival was composted for use in local agriculture, while recyclable materials were sent to authorized processing centers.
