In a significant move to improve safety and protect the environment, the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) has announced new regulations for visitors to Dzükou Valley, one of Nagaland’s most popular trekking destinations. Effective October 1, it will be mandatory for all trekkers to hire registered local guides before entering the valley, and trekking will be strictly prohibited after 3:00 PM.
The decision comes after a growing number of incidents where trekkers lost their way or became stranded, forcing volunteers to undertake challenging rescue operations late at night. SAYO said the rules were framed to reduce risks to life and to ensure that the valley’s fragile ecosystem remains protected from unregulated human activity.
Over the past few years, Dzükou Valley has attracted thousands of adventure seekers from across the country. However, the lack of proper guidance has often led to visitors straying off marked trails. “Many trekkers underestimate the terrain and the time needed. Once darkness falls, it becomes dangerous, and rescues put both trekkers and volunteers at risk,” said a SAYO spokesperson.
