CM also urges Centre to extend Hornbill relaxation to one month, citing tourism, investment and sporting activities
Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has sought a comprehensive year-round exemption from the Protected Area Permit (PAP) requirement for foreign tourists visiting Nagaland, urging the Centre to move beyond the limited 10-day relaxation granted for the Hornbill Festival.
In a letter to Union Home Minister, Rio expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to relax the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Nagaland from December 1 to 10 every year, coinciding with the Hornbill Festival. However, he stated that the limited period fell short of addressing the state’s broader requirements in tourism, investment, sports and international cooperation.
For the 2026 Hornbill Festival, the Chief Minister has requested an extension of the relaxation to one month, from November 15 to December 15, stating that international visitors often arrive before the festival and continue their stay afterwards to explore the state’s cultural heritage, natural attractions and other destinations.
Rio observed that restricting the exemption to 10 days created practical difficulties for international tourists, tour operators, travel agencies and hospitality establishments, thereby limiting the economic benefits that tourism could generate for the state. Referring to the previous year, he also stated that a similar limited relaxation had adversely affected tourism-related activities.
Beyond tourism, the Chief Minister has sought specific exemptions under the Protected Area Regime for foreign investors, corporate representatives, business delegations and their accompanying family members visiting Nagaland for trade, investment and business engagements.
He has also requested exemptions for foreign sportspersons, professional players, coaches, technical officials and team management personnel participating in sporting events and tournaments in the state.
Citing Nagaland’s growing role as a venue for national-level sporting events, Rio specifically referred to the Indian Football League, which is scheduled to begin in the state on November 14 with the participation of Nagaland United Sports Club. He noted that professional teams, including foreign nationals among their players, would be arriving in the state and that the existing restrictions could create difficulties for their participation and movement.
The request also covers diplomats and representatives of Nagaland’s international partner countries visiting for official engagements, tourism promotion, cultural exchange and collaborative activities. Rio further sought exemptions for representatives of foreign companies and institutions working with the state government or its authorised agencies in human resource development, employment generation and overseas placement of skilled and professional manpower.
Emphasising the need to balance security considerations with economic and developmental priorities, the Chief Minister stated that appropriate facilitation measures were necessary to ensure that legitimate tourism, business, cultural and sporting activities were not unduly constrained.
He urged the Union Home Minister to reconsider the existing 10-day relaxation and favourably consider the proposed extension for 2026, along with a comprehensive year-round exemption for foreign tourists and specific exemptions for other categories of foreign nationals engaged in investment, corporate activities, sports, international partnerships and employment-related collaborations.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the proposed relaxations would help position Nagaland as a more accessible destination while promoting investment, international partnerships and economic opportunities in the state.
