Ukhrul, Oct 17: In a proud moment for Manipur’s Ukhrul district, Jessami Kaleidoscope Village, managed by the Jessami Tourism and Wildlife Conservation Board, received the Best Sustainable Tourism Practice Award, while Dr. Weyepe N. Mekrishu was honoured with the Best Cultural Heritage Conservation Efforts Award under the categories of Sustainability and Community Engagement during a prestigious ceremony held at Radisson Blu, Guwahati, as part of the Northeast India Tourism Awards 2025.
The event recognized exceptional achievements in community-led tourism and environmental preservation across the northeastern region, celebrating models that successfully blend ecological stewardship with local empowerment.
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Addressing the gathering, Asset Wezah, Secretary of the Jessami Village Council, credited the village’s transformation to Dr. Mekrishu’s visionary leadership. “It was Dr. Mekrishu’s clarity of purpose and guiding principles that lit the path toward sustainable tourism. A dream once thought distant for a small border village,” said Wezah. He emphasized that the collective spirit of the Jessami community, bound by trust and shared vision, became the cornerstone of their conservation success.
From eco-tourism and wildlife trails to cultural and battlefield tours, Jessami’s tourism model is deeply rooted in community participation. Local residents have transitioned from hunters to guides and conservationists, using their knowledge of the forests to protect wildlife, including the endangered Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant. The village has also earned acclaim for initiatives like the “39 Hours Walk,” a historical reenactment of the Battle of Jessami that attracts visitors worldwide.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Weyepe N. Mekrishu expressed deep humility, describing the award as “a recognition of the Jessami community’s collective commitment to protecting biodiversity.” He highlighted that sustainable tourism, when guided by responsibility, has the power to “instill stewardship and preserve both culture and environment.” Cautioning against uncontrolled tourism, he explained that Jessami has implemented a strict regulatory framework aimed at balancing visitor flow with ecological preservation.
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“Quality over quantity is our guiding mantra,” Dr. Mekrishu remarked. “Tourism must remain thoughtful and sustainable if it is to uplift communities without compromising the ecosystem.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Mekrishu hopes to inspire neighbouring villages across Northeast India to adopt community-led conservation and sustainable tourism models. “Our journey is not just Jessami’s story anymore. It is an invitation for others to rise together. For nature, for people, and for posterity,” he affirmed.
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The recognition at NEITA 2025 stands as a powerful validation of Jessami’s transformation into a model of sustainable rural tourism, where nature, culture, and community coexist in harmony.