A tourist shares a light moment with a performer during the Hornbill Festival, held annually from December 1 to 10 at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. In a fresh appeal to MHA, Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has sought a month-long relaxation of the Protected Area Regime for the 2026 festival and year-round exemption for foreign tourists. (Imti Longchar/Morung File Photo)
• CM Rio sends fresh missive to MHA
• Urges month-long relaxation for Hornbill Festival 2026
KOHIMA, November 12 (MExN): Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has urged the Union Home Ministry to reconsider its decision to relax the Protected Area Permit (PAR) in Nagaland for only 10 days during the Hornbill Festival, seeking an extension to one month and a comprehensive exemption for foreign tourists throughout the year.
In a fresh letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rio expressed appreciation for the Home Ministry’s decision to relax the regime from December 1 to 10 every year, as communicated through its November 4 letter.
However, he said the limited relaxation fell short of addressing the State's broader requirements, particularly in tourism, investment, sports and international cooperation.
As per the State DIPR, Rio pointed out that Nagaland, known as the 'Land of Festivals', hosts cultural events and tourism-related activities throughout the year. He said limiting the relaxation to 10 days did not provide an enabling environment for sustained growth of the tourism and hospitality industry.
He noted that international tourists often plan their itineraries well in advance, with many arriving before the Hornbill Festival and staying beyond it to explore the State's destinations, cultural heritage and natural attractions. The restricted window, he said, creates practical difficulties for tourists, tour operators, travel agencies and hospitality establishments.
Referring to the previous year's experience, when a similar limited relaxation adversely affected tourism-related activities, Rio 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 accompanying family members visiting the State for trade, investment and business engagements.
He similarly sought exemptions for foreign sportspersons, professional players, coaches, technical officials and team management personnel visiting Nagaland for sporting events and tournaments.
Highlighting the State's growing sporting profile, Rio pointed to Nagaland hosting the Indian Football League, with Nagaland United Sports Club participating. He stated that national-level football clubs would begin arriving from November 14, with professional teams including foreign nationals among their players.
The existing restrictions, he cautioned, could create difficulties for the movement and participation of international players and associated personnel.
Rio further 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. He also called for exemptions for representatives of foreign companies and institutions collaborating with the State Government or its authorised agencies on human resource development, employment generation and overseas placement of skilled and professional manpower.
He said such exemptions were necessary to facilitate international partnerships, attract investment, promote employment opportunities and support tourism and sporting activities.
While acknowledging the security considerations underlying the Protected Area Regime, Rio stressed the need for appropriate facilitation measures to ensure that legitimate economic, cultural, sporting and tourism-related activities were not unduly constrained.
Accordingly, the Chief Minister requested Union Home Minister's intervention to extend the relaxation to at least one month, from November 15 to December 15, 2026, for the Hornbill Festival, the State DIPR added.
For subsequent years, he sought a comprehensive exemption for foreign tourists throughout the year, alongside specific exemptions for those engaged in investment, corporate activities, sports, international partnerships and employment-related collaborations.
Rio expressed hope that favourable consideration of the request would help position Nagaland as an accessible and welcoming destination while advancing the State's economic and developmental interests.
