Proposes year-round exemption for foreign tourists
DIMAPUR, NOV 12 (NPN): State chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio has urged the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider the Centre’s decision to relax the Protected Area Regime (PAP) in Nagaland for only 10 days during the Hornbill Festival, seeking an extension to one month this year and a comprehensive year-round exemption for foreign tourists.
In a letter to Shah, Rio acknowledged the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to relax the regime from December 1-10 every year, as communicated through its November 4, 2026 letter. However, he said the limited relaxation fell short of addressing state’s broader requirements in tourism, investment, sports and international cooperation.
Rio said Nagaland, known as the “Land of Festivals”, hosts cultural events and tourism activities throughout the year. He said restricting the relaxation to 10 days did not provide an enabling environment for sustained growth of the tourism and hospitality sectors.
He pointed out that international tourists generally plan their itineraries well in advance. Many arrive before the Hornbill Festival and continue their stay afterwards to explore the state’s destinations, cultural heritage and natural attractions. The chief minister maintained that limited exemption created practical difficulties for tourists, tour operators, travel agencies and hospitality establishments.
Referring to the previous year’s experience, Rio said a similar limited relaxation had adversely affected tourism-related activities. He reiterated the state government’s demand for a complete exemption from the Protected Area Permit (PAP) requirement for foreign tourists visiting Nagaland throughout the year.
The chief minister also sought specific exemptions for foreign corporate representatives, investors, business delegations and their accompanying family members visiting the state for investment, trade and business engagements.
In the sports sector, he requested exemptions for foreign sportspersons, professional players, coaches, technical officials, team management personnel and accompanying family members participating in sporting events and tournaments.
Rio noted that Nagaland was increasingly emerging as a venue for national-level sporting events. He cited the Indian Football League, in which Nagaland United Sports Club is participating, and said national-level football clubs would begin arriving in the state from November 14.
He cautioned that the existing restrictions could create difficulties for their participation and movement, along with associated personnel.
Further, Rio sought exemptions for representatives of Nagaland’s international country partners, including diplomats and officials visiting for official engagements, tourism promotion, cultural exchange and collaborative activities.
The request also covered representatives of foreign private firms, companies and institutions collaborating with the state government or its authorised agencies in human resource development, employment generation and placement of skilled and professional manpower abroad.
Rio said such exemptions were important for facilitating foreign nationals’ movement and enabling Nagaland to build international partnerships, attract investment, promote employment and support tourism and sporting activities.
Acknowledging the security considerations underlying the Protected Area Regime, he said appropriate facilitation measures were necessary to ensure that legitimate economic, cultural, sporting and tourism activities were not unduly constrained.
Rio urged Shah to intervene and extend the relaxation to at least one month, from November 15 to December 15, 2026, for the Hornbill Festival this year. He also requested the Ministry to consider a comprehensive year-round exemption for foreign tourists, along with specific exemptions for foreign nationals involved in investment, corporate activities, sports, international partnerships and employment-related collaborations.
Rio expressed hope that the proposals would help promote Nagaland as an accessible and welcoming destination while advancing the state’s economic and developmental interests.