Protected Area regime relaxed in Nagaland for Hornbill Festival

Dimapur: The central government has relaxed the Protected Area regime in Nagaland for the 10-day Hornbill Festival, beginning at Kisama near Kohima on December 1.

The Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed this to the Nagaland chief secretary in a letter dated November 29.

The letter noted that the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival will feature six partner countries and highlighted that tourism plays an important role in Nagaland’s economy, especially in generating livelihood and employment opportunities.

Stating that tourists from across the country and around the world are expected to visit Nagaland for the festival, it added that the partner countries will participate in various cultural events, business roundtables, and networking engagements.

It further stated that, as the state government had requested the lifting of the PAP regime in the larger interest of promoting tourism, improving ease of movement, and strengthening integration with the rest of the country, the Government of India has considered the request, keeping in view the importance of the Hornbill Festival.

The Nagaland government had made several appeals to the Centre over the past 12 months for a relaxation of this regime.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also met central leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on multiple occasions and had written to the Government of India several times, urging relaxation of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime. Rio’s latest letter to Shah, dated November 28, reiterated the request as a member of the National Democratic Alliance.

The state cabinet had also resolved to oppose the imposition of the PAP regime in Nagaland.