Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged the Centre to extend the exemption from the Protected Area Permit (PAP) requirement for foreign nationals visiting the state throughout the year, stating that the existing 10-day relaxation during the Hornbill Festival was inadequate to promote tourism, trade 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. However, he maintained that the limited period did not meet the state’s broader tourism and economic requirements.
For the 2026 festival, the chief minister requested that the exemption be extended from November 15 to December 15, pointing out that international tourists often arrive before the event and remain in the state afterwards to explore its cultural heritage and tourist destinations.
He said the 10-day window created logistical challenges for foreign visitors, tour operators, travel agencies and hospitality businesses, thereby restricting the potential economic benefits of tourism.
Rio also sought PAP exemptions for foreign investors, corporate representatives, business delegations and their accompanying family members visiting Nagaland for trade and investment-related activities.
He proposed similar relaxations for foreign sportspersons, professional players, coaches, technical officials and team management personnel participating in sporting events in the state.
Referring to the Indian Football League being hosted by Nagaland, Rio said national-level clubs were scheduled to arrive from November 14, including teams with foreign players. He cautioned that the existing restrictions could hamper their participation and movement.
The chief minister further called for exemptions for diplomats and representatives of countries having international partnerships with Nagaland, along with foreign companies and institutions collaborating with the state government on human resource development, employment generation and overseas placement of skilled professionals.
Describing Nagaland as the ‘Land of Festivals’, Rio said cultural programmes and tourism activities continued throughout the year, making a short-term relaxation insufficient for the sustained development of the tourism and hospitality sectors. He also highlighted the adverse effects of a similar limited exemption last year and stressed the need for a wider arrangement to facilitate foreign tourist arrivals.
While acknowledging the security considerations underlying the Protected Area Regime, he said legitimate tourism, business, cultural and sporting activities should not be subjected to unnecessary restrictions.
Rio said a comprehensive exemption would help Nagaland attract foreign investment, strengthen international partnerships, generate employment and support the Centre’s vision of developing the Northeast as a major tourism and investment destination.
A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is a mandatory travel document for foreign nationals visiting or staying in designated protected areas, including certain parts of the Northeast.
