The 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) commenced in the town of Seijosa in Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Kessang district on January 18, 2024.
- Seijosa is located near the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR). PTR is home to four species of hornbills: Wreathed, Great Indian, Oriental Pied and the endangered Rufous-necked.
- The area is the traditional homeland of the Nyishi people, the largest tribal group in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The first-ever PPHF was held on January 16-18, 2015.
- The aim was to recognise the role played by the Nyishi in conserving hornbills in PTR.
- The Nyishi had formerly hunted hornbills and used their bills to craft traditional headgear. They had later turned hornbill conservationists.
