Nestled at 2,438.4 metres above sea level, Dzükou Valley is a high-altitude paradise bordering the northeastern states of Nagaland and Manipur. With its vast treeless meadows, rich biodiversity, and panoramic vistas, Dzükou has become a bucket-list destination for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts.
As the number of visitors grows every year, residents are fighting an uphill battle to maintain the valley’s ecological integrity. Trekking trails snake through bamboo-covered ridges, and rhododendron forests give way to rolling grasslands that stretch to the horizon. It’s a landscape both fragile and breathtaking, and one that is slowly feeling the strain of rising footfall.
The legend behind the name
The name “Dzükou” carries a poignant tale deeply embedded in the oral traditions of the Southern Angami community. According to local legend, when their ancestors first arrived in the valley with intentions to bless the land and establish a settlement, they were met with an unsettling omen.
That night, the elders dreamt that the valley itself demanded a heavy price: the lives of seven warriors in exchange for its fertility.
Troubled by the dream and haunted by the mysterious withering of their crops, the people experienced a profound sense of sorrow and unease.
In Tenyidie, the language of the Angami Nagas, this feeling of emotional coldness and disappointment is captured by the word Dzükou. Ultimately, the elders chose not to proceed with the settlement—deciding that even the beauty of Dzükou was not worth the cost of seven lives. The valley, therefore, remained untouched and sacred for generations.
Over the years, tourists from across India and even overseas have been drawn to the valley’s allure. Local trekkers, too, increasingly make their way here during holidays and weekends. This influx, however, brings a range of challenges. From littering to unchecked camping, the impact of human activity is increasingly visible in a region with no formal road access and limited facilities.
Despite the challenges, local organisations like the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) have stepped up to preserve the valley’s sanctity.
SAYO: Guardians of the valley
SAYO, the apex youth body formed of the Southern Angami community, has taken charge of overseeing the valley’s maintenance, implementing eco-conscious policies, and handling tourist conduct. The community declared the valley a plastic-free zone and restricted accommodations to designated guesthouses atop the mountain or tents pitched in regulated areas around the valley to prevent disruption.
On Earth Day, nearly 300 volunteers led by the SAYO, in collaboration with the Divisional Forest Office, Kohima Division, conducted a mass cleanliness drive, starting from two entry points-Jakhama and Kigwema before converging at the valley.
Nearly 300 volunteers — including youth from 13 Southern Angami villages and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers from St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama — trekked the trails, participating in the clean-up drive.
Speaking to EastMojo, Zasitsolie Beio, president of SAYO said, “Since time immemorial, our people have protected this valley through customary practices. Under the Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO), SAYO was authorised to protect the sanctity of the valley.
In most cases, SAYO members are the first responders to any issue here, including forest fire, death of a trekker, missing trekkers and so on”
He revealed that in 2018, the Earth Day Network recognised SAYO for its ongoing work in conserving Dzükou Valley.
“SAYO is working to protect the ecosystem by applying traditional methods alongside local laws to prevent the valley from deteriorating. There are many challenges—after all, SAYO is just an NGO, and most of the work is done by individual volunteers. However, the Kohima Forest Division is also collaborating with SAYO to help safeguard the valley,” he said.
He revealed that SAYO plans to go further by instituting a security deposit system for trekkers carrying plastics and conducting surprise checks.
Infrastructure challenges
With no road connectivity, access to Dzükou remains a formidable task. Everything, including supplies, has to be carried on foot — often by local porters shouldering loads of 25 to 50 kg. The cost of transporting a 25 kg load is about ₹900.
While no road connectivity helps preserve its untouched charm, it also makes managing tourist infrastructure more complex.
“We’re currently building a 20,000-litre water tank and another 30,000-litre galvanised tank to address water scarcity,” Beio said. Plans are also underway to expand dormitory facilities to accommodate the rising number of visitors.
He appealed for government assistance to support its eco-tourism goals. However, Beio cautioned that infrastructure development should be mindful of ecological impacts. “If roads are built into the valley, the valley will be easily polluted and cleanliness and regulation will be even harder to manage,” he shared.
A researcher’s view
At a resting shed on their descent, EastMojo met Rishi Basumatary, a researcher from the Wildlife Institute of India currently posted in Wokha for a human-elephant conflict mitigation project. Along with four friends from Assam, he had just completed an overnight trek in Dzükou.
“This place is incredible—one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in the Northeast,” Basumatary said. “The forest types changed as we ascended. We saw new bird species, rhododendron trees, and rare bamboo carpeting the slopes.”
The experience reminded him of a trek he once undertook in Uttarakhand, yet he said Dzükou had its own unique flavour with rare flora and fauna which he is curious to research.
Basumatary is among the conscious trekkers and shares the need to preserve the valley. “When we started trekking, all five of us made a conscious decision to carry any plastic waste we generated and dispose of it properly in designated dustbins, rather than littering,” he said.
To him, maintaining the natural beauty of Dzükou should not just be the responsibility of the locals.
“It should not just be the responsibility of the locals—every trekker should take accountability for their waste and be willing to keep the environment clean. I urge everyone to be responsible trekkers. This place is incredibly beautiful, and we shouldn’t be the reason it loses that beauty.”
A volunteer’s message
For Lokhiung, a second-year student and NSS volunteer from St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, his third visit to Dzükou is no less magical than the first.
“I believe it’s our responsibility not to dump waste and to keep our earth clean. There’s a saying—’cleanliness is next to godliness’—and it’s something we should all live by. As trekkers and tourists, we must be responsible with our waste, because even a single piece of litter can add up and spoil the environment,” he said.
He encouraged others to explore the valley not just to enjoy the sights but to experience personal growth. “We should all explore Dzükou. When we do, we don’t just learn about the place—we learn about ourselves too, through the experience and the journey it offers”.
Entry fees
While the valley’s remote setting and conservation rules can be daunting, its costs remain affordable for most:
- Entry Fee: ₹50 for locals, ₹100 for Indian tourists, ₹200 for international tourists
- Guide Fee: ₹1,500 for a day trip, with additional charges for overnight stays
- Accommodation: Dormitories cost ₹200 per night per person; private cabins (up to three people) are ₹3,000 per night
A legacy
As Dzükou Valley garners wider recognition, including among travellers beyond the Northeast, the balancing act between promoting tourism and preserving ecology becomes ever more urgent.
Mass participation, not just from locals but from all who visit, is the only way forward, according to Beio. “Those who come here must do their best to protect what they see. We need care, responsibility, and a commitment to keep this place as beautiful as it is today.”
Dzükou may be hard to reach, but for those who make the journey, it offers not only stunning natural beauty but a vital lesson in ecological responsibility.
Also Read: Othering through omission: Why Pope Francis couldn’t visit India
You just read a story that took days to report. Help us keep our reporters on the ground in the Northeast.
Ad-free reading, support and keep important stories alive
Support once (any amount)
Scan to pay via UPI