Kohima, Nov 12 Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday urged the Centre to grant a year-round exemption from the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime for foreign visitors to the state, saying the existing 10-day relaxation during the Hornbill Festival is inadequate to promote tourism and investment.
In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rio welcomed the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to relax the Protected Area Regime in Nagaland from December 1 to 10 every year to coincide with the Hornbill Festival, but said the limited exemption did not meet the state’s broader requirements.
Seeking an extension of the relaxation to at least one month for the 2026 edition of the festival, from November 15 to December 15, Rio said foreign tourists often arrive before the event and extend their stay afterwards to explore the state’s cultural heritage and tourist destinations.
Restricting the exemption to 10 days creates practical difficulties for international visitors, tour operators, travel agencies and hospitality establishments, thereby limiting the economic benefits of tourism, he said.
The chief minister also sought specific exemptions from the PAP requirement for foreign investors, corporate representatives, business delegations and their accompanying family members visiting the state for trade, investment and other business engagements.
Rio called for similar exemptions for foreign sportspersons, professional players, coaches, technical officials and team management personnel participating in sporting events and tournaments in the state.
He specifically referred to the Indian Football League, which Nagaland is hosting.
National-level clubs are scheduled to arrive from November 14, including teams with foreign players, and the existing restrictions could hamper their participation and movement, he said.
Rio also sought exemptions for diplomats and representatives of countries having international partnerships with Nagaland, as well as foreign companies and institutions collaborating with the state government in human resource development, employment generation and overseas placement of skilled professionals.
Describing Nagaland as the “Land of Festivals”, Rio said the state organises cultural events and tourism activities throughout the year, making a short-duration relaxation inadequate for the sustained growth of the tourism and hospitality sectors.
He also referred to the adverse impact of a similar limited relaxation last year and reiterated the need for a comprehensive exemption for foreign tourists.
While acknowledging the security considerations underlying the Protected Area Regime, Rio said adequate facilitation measures were necessary to ensure that legitimate tourism, economic, cultural and sporting activities were not unduly restricted.
The proposed exemptions would help Nagaland attract investment, strengthen international partnerships, generate employment and contribute to the national vision of positioning the Northeast as a major destination for tourism and investment, he said.
A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is a mandatory travel document required for all foreign nationals wishing to visit or stay certain areas, including parts of the Northeast and Tibetan refugee settlements.
(PTI News)
