A day in Khonoma, the green village
Khonoma sits on a ridge above terraced rice fields that step down the valley in curving lines. It is one of the oldest Angami villages and is remembered for its resistance to the British in the 19th century, commemorated by a memorial in the village. Its houses are of stone and timber, its khels, or clans, each have their own gates and morungs, and its people farm the terraces using methods passed down for generations.
In the late 1990s, the village council banned hunting and logging in a large part of its forest, creating the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary. It became known as India's first green village, and visitors now come to walk with village guides through forest, terraces and the alder-based jhum fields where farmers rotate crops.
Our day includes a walk through the khels and gates, a hike along the terraces, lunch in a family home, and time with village elders if they are willing. Some families offer simple homestays for those who want to stay overnight. The drive from Kohima takes about 45 minutes.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Why is Khonoma called the green village?
In the late 1990s Khonoma's village council banned hunting and logging across a large area of forest and created a community sanctuary for wildlife, including the Blyth's tragopan. This made it widely known as India's first green village and a model for community conservation.
How far is Khonoma from Kohima?
About 20 km, or 45 minutes to an hour by road. A day trip is the usual plan, though simple village homestays are available for those who want to stay overnight and walk at dawn.
What can I do in Khonoma?
Walk the village's clan areas and gates, hike the terraced rice fields, visit the memorial to its resistance against the British, explore the forest with a village guide, and share a meal in a family home. Birdwatching in the community sanctuary is good from October to April.
Also in Kohima and Khonoma
More hours to plan around
