Nagaland’s Better Life Foundation Shines Globally for Responsible Tourism and Powerful Peacebuilding Initiatives That Are Changing Lives

Nagaland’s Better Life Foundation (BLF) has earned second place in the Peace, Understanding & Inclusivity category at the prestigious ICRT Global Responsible Tourism Awards 2025. The award, presented in London on November 3, acknowledges BLF’s outstanding contributions to responsible tourism. The foundation has become a prominent example of how tourism can foster peace, inclusivity, and sustainable development. BLF’s unique model blends cultural tourism with peacebuilding initiatives, promoting positive social change in Nagaland.

This global recognition follows BLF’s earlier achievement of winning the Indian Subcontinent Gold Award for Responsible Tourism on September 13, 2025. The award was given by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) and Incredible India, further cementing BLF’s position as a leader in sustainable tourism. The award was accepted by Sethrichem Sangtam, BLF’s founder-director, during a ceremony held in New Delhi.

Sethrichem Sangtam’s Vision for Responsible Tourism

Sethrichem Sangtam, a social entrepreneur from Eastern Nagaland, has been instrumental in the success of BLF’s responsible tourism initiatives. Sangtam, who also received the Rohini Nayyar Prize in 2022, has led the charge in developing a tourism model that promotes peacebuilding tourism and supports local communities. Under his leadership, BLF has integrated tourism with peacebuilding, offering former insurgents in the region opportunities for employment as local guides, while fostering reconciliation and trust among different groups.

BLF’s approach centers on the values of responsible tourism, focusing on community empowerment, cultural preservation, and inclusive growth. This tourism model integrates the principles of sustainable development while creating economic opportunities for local people. BLF’s peacebuilding tourism initiatives not only help build bridges between communities but also contribute to the broader goals of social harmony and economic equality.

Global Recognition for Responsible Tourism

The ICRT Global Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 celebrated 30 organizations from around the world for their leadership in advancing sustainable tourism. BLF stood out among these finalists for its innovative approach to cultural tourism and its focus on regenerative practices that benefit both people and the environment. These organizations had all won regional awards, and BLF’s recognition at this global stage underscored the global importance of responsible tourism and its impact on community-based and sustainable practices.

The foundation’s commitment to responsible tourism has been a key factor in its success. By focusing on sustainable development and inclusive growth, BLF’s tourism model helps local communities thrive while preserving the region’s cultural heritage. Their initiatives have contributed to making Nagaland a model for how tourism can drive both economic prosperity and social change.

BLF’s Commitment to Sustainable Development

One of BLF’s key achievements is its integration of regenerative farming into its tourism model. This approach has helped local communities engage in sustainable agricultural practices that complement tourism and support the environment. By focusing on sustainable development, BLF is creating long-term solutions to poverty and environmental degradation, offering a holistic approach to economic development.

BLF’s focus on inclusive growth is also central to its mission. By training local residents, including former insurgents, to become tour guides and tourism professionals, BLF ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared equitably. This inclusive approach fosters social cohesion and enables marginalized groups to find new pathways to economic empowerment.

The foundation’s model is a powerful example of how community-based tourism can provide both economic opportunities and a platform for peacebuilding. By integrating cultural tourism with sustainable practices, BLF is demonstrating that responsible tourism can have a profound, positive impact on the region’s development.

How Peacebuilding Tourism Drives Social Change

At the heart of BLF’s work is the belief that tourism can be a tool for building peace and understanding. Through its peacebuilding tourism initiatives, BLF is helping to create a space where communities that were once divided can come together. By focusing on shared cultural heritage, BLF promotes dialogue and reconciliation, addressing the historical tensions in Nagaland and encouraging a future built on trust.

Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, chair of the ICRT’s judging panel, praised BLF for its exceptional approach to peacebuilding tourism. He emphasized that the foundation’s work exemplifies the power of tourism to drive positive social change. BLF’s efforts to integrate cultural tourism with sustainable development are a model for how tourism can foster peace, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging for all people.

Looking Ahead: BLF’s Vision for the Future

BLF remains committed to advancing responsible tourism in Nagaland and beyond. As the foundation expands its initiatives, it continues to promote community-based tourism as a tool for sustainable development. Through its work, BLF is proving that responsible tourism can play a significant role in building stronger, more resilient communities, particularly in regions recovering from conflict.

The foundation’s efforts to promote sustainable development, inclusive growth, and peacebuilding tourism have already transformed the lives of many individuals in Nagaland. Moving forward, BLF plans to further strengthen its peace-driven initiatives, creating new opportunities for locals to engage in cultural tourism and sustainable livelihoods.

Sethrichem Sangtam shared his gratitude for the recognition, noting that the award is a tribute to the resilience of the indigenous people of Eastern Nagaland. He expressed optimism that BLF’s work would continue to inspire others to embrace responsible tourism as a powerful force for positive change.

Conclusion

BLF’s recognition at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 is a testament to the power of responsible tourism to drive positive social and environmental change. By blending cultural tourism with peacebuilding, the foundation is demonstrating how tourism can foster inclusivity, sustainable development, and social harmony. Through its commitment to community-based tourism and its focus on peace and reconciliation, BLF is setting an example for others to follow in the world of responsible tourism. As the foundation continues its work, it remains a shining example of how tourism can be used to create a better, more inclusive future for all.

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