What is the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989?

• The NLTP Act is a law enacted by the Government of Nagaland that prohibits the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the state.
• The Act is one of the most stringent liquor prohibition laws in India, and its core features are as follows:
• Key Features of NLTP Act 1989:

• • Complete Ban on Alcohol: The NLTP Act bans the production, sale, and consumption of all forms of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits. This includes both local (like rice beer) and commercial alcohol.
  • Exceptions: There are some exceptions under the law, such as alcohol being allowed for medical or scientific purposes and in certain regulated settings, like special licenses for non-local tourists during specific events (e.g., the Hornbill Festival).
  • Support from Religious Groups: The Act has received strong support from Christian church bodies, which constitute a majority in the state, as they view alcohol consumption as morally unacceptable and harmful to community life.

Role of Alcohol in the Hornbill Festival:

• The Hornbill Festival is often seen as an exception to the state’s liquor prohibition.
• Thutse (local rice beer) is traditionally consumed during the festival, and according to academic Theyiesinuo Keditsu, the Hornbill Festival is the only time in the year when the state permits the open sale and consumption of alcohol, including Thutse.

PYQ:

[2016] In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat?

(a) Sand deserts of northwest India

(b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir

(c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat

(d) Western Ghats