Ahead of Hornbill Festival, why Nagaland wants Protected Area Permit rules withdrawn
Indian Express - Explained · Published 2 November 2026 · Last updated
Nagaland seeks full withdrawal of the Protected Area Permit regime to boost tourism and investment, arguing it is an outdated security measure that hampers the Hornbill Festival’s economic potential.
Key points
- Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio wrote to the Union Home Ministry in September 2026 requesting complete withdrawal of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Nagaland.
- Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton told The Indian Express that the PAP restricts international tourists during the Hornbill Festival (Dec 1‑10, 2026) and that Home Minister Amit Shah has promised to study the matter.
- Former Director‑General of Police Nagaland, Besesayo Kezo, highlighted bureaucratic delays, noting that PAP applications are processed after visa issuance, causing loss of tourist days.
- The PAP scheme, instituted under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, was relaxed for Nagaland in 2011 but re‑imposed in December 2024 on security grounds.
- Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival attracts over 1 lakh (100,000) visitors, including foreign tourists, making it a key revenue source for the state.
- The state argues that PAP creates “avoidable frustration and a sense of alienation” among youth and deters investment in a peaceful state with no law‑and‑order issues.
- The Centre’s limited relaxation of PAP for the 2025 festival proved ineffective, as it was announced only weeks before the event, leaving tourists uncertain.
- Nagaland’s demand aligns with the central government’s push for states to compete for investment, international partnerships, and tourism under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ agendas.
Background
- 1958: Government of India issues the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, creating the PAP regime for border states.
- 2011: PAP restrictions were relaxed for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram to promote tourism.
- December 2024: PAP re‑imposed across most Northeastern states, citing renewed security concerns.
- 2025: Centre offers a limited, short‑term PAP relaxation for Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, which proved inadequate for international travel planning.
- September 2026: CM Rio formally requests complete withdrawal of PAP, citing economic loss and youth alienation.
- October 2026: Deputy CM Patton meets Home Minister Amit Shah; Shah assures a review but no concrete decision yet.
UPSC relevance, Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Indian Express - Explained