ZIRO, 12 Sep: With the Ziro Festival of Music (ZFM) just round the corner, local homestay owners gathered at the mini secretariat here in Lower Subansiri district on Saturday to coordinate preparations for the influx of visitors expected from 24 to 27 September.

Chairing the meeting, Subdivisional Officer Hage Tarung focused on the essential role host families play in shaping the valley's reputation. Beyond keeping up with standards for hygiene, parking, and fire safety, he asked the hosts to show "extra patience and understanding for guests coming back late from festival grounds."

He also suggested setting up small, dedicated spaces for authentic Apatani handloom and crafts to give visitors a piece of local culture to take home while putting extra income directly into the hands of local artisans.

The conversation shifted to sustainable operations and administrative duties under the guidance of District Tourism Officer (i/c) Khoda Yakang Millo. She pushed for meaningful, eco-friendly habits -specifically cutting out single-use plastics - to keep the town moving towards "Zero waste Ziro."

On the administrative side, she reminded the homestay owners to keep reliable guest logs, submit tourist arrival reports promptly, and handle Form-C filings for foreign guests through the Police Department without delay. Standard safety steps, like keeping first-aid kits stocked and emergency numbers clearly posted, were also reinforced.

To inspire the group, she cited past achievements like Lempia Ude Homestay, whose owner Rubu Ampi shared hands-on hospitality habits that recently earned her property the government's top Diamond Category rating.

Joined by District Art and Culture Officer Tapi Rimu, Trade Development Officer Tai Arun and other department officials, the meeting wrapped up with the hosts and officials agreeing on a unified goal: creating a safe, welcoming, and memorable festival experience while keeping Ziro's environment and heritage intact. (DIPRO)