The Government of India has relaxed the Protected Area Permit (PAP) for the Hornbill Festival. This was conveyed to Nagaland Government by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a letter to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland on Saturday.
It may be recalled that the State Government had made several appeals to the Government of India for a relaxation of this regime over the past 12 months. The Nagaland Chief Minister had met central leaders, including the Union Home Minister, on multiple occasions and had also written to the Government of India several times.
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio’s latest letter to Home Minister, Amit Shah was November 28, which appealed to the Centre as a member of the National Democratic Alliance. Even the State Cabinet had resolved to object to the imposition of the PAP regime in Nagaland.
The letter acknowledged that the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival would have six partner countries and that tourism plays an important role in the economy of Nagaland, especially in generating livelihood and employment opportunities.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
The letter stated that tourists from across the country and around the world are expected to visit Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival. It stated that the Partner Countries will be participating in various cultural events, business round tables and networking engagements; and that the State Government has 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 Home Ministry letter said that accordingly, the Government of India has considered the request of the Nagaland Government keeping in view the importance attached to the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland.
