The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a Government Resolution urging the Centre to urgently review and withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime currently applicable to the State and restore the earlier relaxation.
The resolution, moved by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton during the Ninth Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, stressed that Nagaland’s peaceful environment and growing potential in tourism, culture, investment, entrepreneurship and international engagement warranted a reconsideration of the existing restrictions.
The House noted that tourism, along with the service and creative sectors, had emerged as an important source of employment and livelihood, particularly for the State’s youth. It highlighted the role of the Hornbill Festival, the ‘Land of Festivals’ initiative and other tourism and cultural programmes in showcasing India’s cultural diversity while creating economic opportunities for local communities and entrepreneurs.
The Assembly observed that the continuation of the PAP regime had created impediments to the expansion of international tourism, investment, business engagement, cultural exchanges and international partnerships in Nagaland.
While seeking the withdrawal or relaxation of the regime, the House reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to national security and said appropriate mechanisms could be put in place for the registration, regulation and monitoring of foreign nationals through modern technology and close coordination with the Government of India and its agencies.
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The resolution also noted that civil society organisations, tribal bodies, tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs and other sections of Naga society had repeatedly called for the withdrawal or relaxation of the PAP regime.
The Assembly appealed to the Centre to take into account Nagaland’s prevailing peaceful environment, the developmental aspirations of its people and the importance of tourism and investment to the State’s economy. It also stressed the aspirations of Naga youth for greater opportunities and participation in India’s growth story.
The House further observed that regulatory arrangements that had outlived their developmental relevance should not become barriers to economic opportunity, employment generation and Nagaland’s fuller participation in the national and global economy.
Through the unanimous resolution, the Assembly made a collective appeal to the Government of India to give urgent and favourable consideration to the demand of Nagaland’s elected representatives and people and take appropriate measures for the complete withdrawal or relaxation of the PAP regime in the State.
