The Crossbill News Desk
The Nagaland government has formally requested the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to revoke the reimposition of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in the state, citing its peaceful environment and the potential negative impact on tourism and the local economy.
In a letter addressed to the ministry, the state’s Chief Secretary argued that the situation in Nagaland, particularly in its border areas, is significantly different from neighbouring states like Manipur and Mizoram, The Wire reported.
The PAP, which restricts the entry of foreign nationals into certain sensitive areas, was reimposed by the Centre on December 7 last year in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram amid rising security concerns following increased cross-border movement from Myanmar, news agency PTI had reported.
This marked a reversal of the Centre’s 2011 decision to lift PAP in these northeastern states to promote tourism and development.
“You are aware that the situation in the border areas of Nagaland is unlike that in the border areas of Mizoram and Manipur. For one, the homogeneous tribal composition across the Myanmar and Nagaland borders differs from the heterogenous tribal composition across the borders of Myanmar and Manipur and Myanmar and Mizoram. Moreover, the communities inhabiting the border areas of Myanmar and Nagaland share are interlinked socially with close familial, filial, social and matrimonial relationships,” the letter stated.
The state government highlighted that Nagaland remains one of the most peaceful states in the country, particularly in terms of law and order and women’s safety.
It attributed the growth in domestic and international tourism to its low crime rate and proactive investment in infrastructure, supported by the Central Government. The recently concluded 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival reportedly drew record-breaking tourist numbers.
The Chief Secretary further noted that the state cabinet had held a meeting on January 6 to discuss the implications of PAP. The cabinet concluded that the reimposition would hamper tourist inflow and adversely affect the state's economy, which heavily relies on tourism-related activities.
To address concerns over foreign tourist monitoring, the state government assured the Centre that it would establish a robust mechanism for registration and tracking of foreign visitors.
“Therefore, the relaxation granted to Nagaland earlier may be restored,” the letter urged.
The letter also touched upon the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar Border, which permits border residents to travel up to 16 km across either side without a visa. The state reiterated its demand for the restoration of the earlier FMR system, along with the framing of suitable regulations to manage cross-border movement effectively.
Currently, Nagaland, along with Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, is designated as a protected area under Indian law.
Under the PAP regime, foreign nationals must obtain special permits—usually valid for 10 days and extendable—to visit these regions. The permits are issued by the Union Home Ministry in coordination with the respective state governments.
In a letter addressed to the ministry, the state’s Chief Secretary argued that the situation in Nagaland, particularly in its border areas, is significantly different from neighbouring states like Manipur and Mizoram, The Wire reported.
The PAP, which restricts the entry of foreign nationals into certain sensitive areas, was reimposed by the Centre on December 7 last year in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram amid rising security concerns following increased cross-border movement from Myanmar, news agency PTI had reported.
This marked a reversal of the Centre’s 2011 decision to lift PAP in these northeastern states to promote tourism and development.
“You are aware that the situation in the border areas of Nagaland is unlike that in the border areas of Mizoram and Manipur. For one, the homogeneous tribal composition across the Myanmar and Nagaland borders differs from the heterogenous tribal composition across the borders of Myanmar and Manipur and Myanmar and Mizoram. Moreover, the communities inhabiting the border areas of Myanmar and Nagaland share are interlinked socially with close familial, filial, social and matrimonial relationships,” the letter stated.
The state government highlighted that Nagaland remains one of the most peaceful states in the country, particularly in terms of law and order and women’s safety.
It attributed the growth in domestic and international tourism to its low crime rate and proactive investment in infrastructure, supported by the Central Government. The recently concluded 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival reportedly drew record-breaking tourist numbers.
The Chief Secretary further noted that the state cabinet had held a meeting on January 6 to discuss the implications of PAP. The cabinet concluded that the reimposition would hamper tourist inflow and adversely affect the state's economy, which heavily relies on tourism-related activities.
To address concerns over foreign tourist monitoring, the state government assured the Centre that it would establish a robust mechanism for registration and tracking of foreign visitors.
“Therefore, the relaxation granted to Nagaland earlier may be restored,” the letter urged.
The letter also touched upon the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar Border, which permits border residents to travel up to 16 km across either side without a visa. The state reiterated its demand for the restoration of the earlier FMR system, along with the framing of suitable regulations to manage cross-border movement effectively.
Currently, Nagaland, along with Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, is designated as a protected area under Indian law.
Under the PAP regime, foreign nationals must obtain special permits—usually valid for 10 days and extendable—to visit these regions. The permits are issued by the Union Home Ministry in coordination with the respective state governments.
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