Khonoma Village Nagaland – Asia's First Green Village

Nagaland India

Twenty kilometres from Kohima, a village that once counted its glory in headhunts and rifle fire now measures it in birdsong and terraced green.

Perched on a rocky spur amid the misty Angami hills, Khonoma village Nagaland is where a fierce warrior past has given way to one of India's most remarkable conservation stories. Recognised as Asia's first green village, this 500-year-old Khonoma Angami village banned hunting and logging in 1998 and set aside the Blyth's Tragopan sanctuary Khonoma to protect the state's endangered pheasant. Wander its stone-paved lanes past carved gateways, colonial-era memorials and three ancient forts, while below, staircased paddy fields tumble down the valley in luminous shades of green. Among the finest things to do in Khonoma: settle into a family-run homestay, share smoky Naga tea, and hear elders recount 29 years of resistance against the British.

The Khonoma to Kohima distance is roughly 20 km — knowing how to reach Khonoma from Kohima is simple, with a scenic 45-minute drive by taxi or shared cab.

Best time to visit: October to May, when the terraced fields glow and mountain skies stay clear.

Traveller tip: Book a Khonoma green village homestay through the village council rather than walking unaccompanied — local hosts unlock the war memorials and forts' stories you'd otherwise miss, and always ask before photographing homes or elders.

Plan your route and stays via Nagaland Tourism.

This attraction pairs beautifully with the Hornbill Festival and is easily covered in BreakBag Holidays' customised Nagaland tour packages.

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