# Nagaland Urges Centre to Completely Scrap Protected Area Permit Ahead of Hornbill Festival

> The Nagaland government has requested the central government to lift the Protected Area Permit regime to boost foreign tourism, business investments, and local employment.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Nagaland · **Published:** 2026-10-29 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/nagaland/nagaland-men-hornbill-festival-se-pahale-kendra-se-protected-area-permit-puri-taraha-hatane-ki-manga-53094 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Nagaland, Protected Area Permit, Hornbill Festival, Temjen Imna Along, Neiphiu Rio, Amit Shah, Nagaland Tourism

In an effort to expand international tourism and spur economic development, the Nagaland government is actively urging the central government to entirely withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) framework. State authorities argue that prevailing travel curbs restrict the entry of foreign visitors, creating bottlenecks for external investments and impeding the broader economic momentum of the state. The administration hopes that the restrictions will be eliminated well before the upcoming Hornbill Festival, enabling seamless travel for overseas visitors arriving in the region.

## Matter Taken Up with the Union Home Minister
Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along revealed that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio raised the demand directly with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a visit to New Delhi. The move follows formal discussions previously held on the subject during the Nagaland Assembly session in September. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inter-government college band competition, Campus Clash 2026, Along stated that Shah assured Rio of a thorough examination of the issue and promised to explore potential remedial actions at the earliest opportunity.

## Balancing National Security and Tourism Management
While acknowledging that national security and sovereign interests remain the highest priority, Along asserted that the state administration is fully capable of managing overseas tourists visiting the region. He emphasized that Nagaland has maintained a persistent stance seeking the complete abolition of the permit rules to unlock the latent growth of its hospitality and travel trade. According to the minister, tourism across Nagaland is no longer limited strictly to the 10-day Hornbill Festival celebrations, as the state's distinct tribal heritage, indigenous customs, and authentic traditions continue to pull foreign travelers throughout the entire calendar year.

## Border Defenses and Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Youth
Addressing inquiries on whether reported Chinese military activities along the border with Arunachal Pradesh could impact Nagaland, Along made it clear that the Indian armed forces possess the necessary equipment and preparedness to address any security challenge along national frontiers. He maintained that external border security matters and the regulatory framework of the Protected Area Permit are entirely separate issues. Highlighting the administration's focus on peace and sustainable growth, Along stated that relaxing the PAP mandate would drive inbound tourist traffic, encourage fresh commercial capital, and allow educated unemployed young residents to build thriving tourism ventures connected to global cultural networks.

## Hornbill Festival 2026 Preparations and Morung Maintenance Grants
Reviewing the ongoing logistical arrangements for the 10-day Hornbill Festival 2026, the minister confirmed that the state government is moving forward with an invitation for President Droupadi Murmu to serve as the chief guest for the inaugural event scheduled on December 1. Relevant administrative protocols, formal communications, and documentation are currently being processed. Along noted that the attendance of India's first tribal President would represent a landmark moment for Nagaland. Addressing appeals from indigenous bodies regarding higher financial aid for maintaining their traditional morungs at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, Along indicated that the request has been noted and will be evaluated through the High Power Committee. Tribal groups are presently seeking an enhancement beyond the current annual allocation of Rs 1.5 lakh used to showcase indigenous cuisine, music, and social traditions.

## Presidential Assent for Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority Bill
Commenting on regional governance, Along also welcomed President Murmu granting assent to the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill. He credited Chief Minister Rio for his persistent commitment toward resolving the long-standing developmental challenges in eastern Nagaland, affirming that the state aims to elevate the eastern districts to par with the rest of the territory in terms of progress and economic welfare. The minister conveyed his gratitude to the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for facilitating the legislative progress.

## What this means for you
Removing the Protected Area Permit framework will simplify travel for foreign tourists and give a significant boost to Nagaland's regional economy.

- **Across India:** A policy shift could encourage a broader reassessment of entry restrictions across the northeastern border states, making integrated regional itineraries simpler to organize. Tour operators nationwide would benefit from smoother processing when marketing international travel circuits to the Northeast.
- **In Nagaland:** International travelers would avoid tedious regulatory approvals, encouraging round-the-year visits beyond the peak festival season. This will immediately expand business opportunities for local homestay owners, cab operators, guides, and educated young entrepreneurs.
- **For Tribal Communities:** Any upward revision of the annual maintenance fund for traditional morungs at Kisama will allow tribes to preserve their architectural heritage more effectively. It gives indigenous artisans and performers better resources to showcase their food, textiles, and living traditions.
- **Business and Investment:** Higher tourist footfalls could attract private capital into local hospitality and experiential travel infrastructure. Consequently, local craftsmen, cultural performers, and rural weaving cooperatives could see a steady rise in earnings.

## Why this happened
The demand arises from the state's strategic goal to convert its cultural tourism into a round-the-year economic engine free from bureaucratic travel barriers.

- **Tourism Growth Beyond Festivals:** Foreign tourist interest has expanded far beyond the flagship 10-day Hornbill Festival to year-round exploration of indigenous tribal heritage. Strict travel permit hurdles have historically limited the inflow of international travelers to the state.
- **Youth Employment and Enterprise:** The state government views tourism as an effective vehicle to create sustainable livelihoods for educated unemployed youth. Removing entry hurdles is seen as crucial for attracting private hospitality investments and establishing local travel businesses.
- **Formal Political Advocacy:** Following intensive deliberations in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in September, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio formally presented the proposal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, receiving assurances of an official review.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What regulatory regime is the Nagaland government asking the Centre to withdraw?
The state government is requesting the complete withdrawal of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime applied to foreign visitors.

### 2. With whom did Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio raise this issue?
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio took up the matter directly with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a visit to New Delhi.

### 3. Who is being invited as the chief guest for the Hornbill Festival 2026 inaugural ceremony?
The state government is working to invite President Droupadi Murmu as the chief guest for the opening ceremony on December 1.

### 4. What demand have tribal bodies made regarding morungs at Kisama?
Tribal bodies have requested an increase in the existing annual financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh provided for maintaining traditional morungs.

### 5. What was the minister's stance on Chinese military activity along the Arunachal Pradesh border?
Minister Temjen Imna Along stated that India's armed forces are well equipped to handle border challenges and that border security is distinct from the permit issue.

### 6. Which legislation recently received presidential assent?
The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill recently received assent from President Droupadi Murmu.

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