Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Nagaland Assembly Seeks Centre Withdrawal of Protected Area Permit Regime
Nagaland’s lawmakers want the central government to change a rule called the Protected Area Permit regime.
The rule restricts foreign visitors from entering certain designated areas without permission.
Nagaland says the rule makes it harder for tourists, investors and international partners to visit.
Lawmakers believe this can reduce jobs and business opportunities, especially for young people.
The permit system was relaxed in Nagaland in 2011 but brought back on December 17, 2024.
The Assembly said Nagaland is peaceful and wants more visitors and investment.
It also said the state can register and monitor foreign visitors in other ways.
Leaders promised that national security would remain important.
Every member supported the resolution.
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously urged the Centre to withdraw or relax the Protected Area Permit regime in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton moved the resolution, which was adopted by voice vote.
The Assembly said the PAP was hindering tourism, investment, business, cultural exchange and international partnerships.
The permit regime was relaxed in Nagaland in 2011 but reimposed on December 17, 2024.
Nagaland said foreign nationals could be registered and monitored through technology and coordination with central agencies while maintaining national security.
- Who
- The Nagaland Legislative Assembly, with the resolution moved by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, urged the Government of India to act.
- What
- The Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking the withdrawal or relaxation of the Protected Area Permit regime in Nagaland.
- When
- The resolution was passed on Thursday, September 3; the articles do not specify the year. The regime was reimposed on December 17, 2024.
- Where
- The resolution was passed in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima, Nagaland.
- Why
- The Assembly said the regime was obstructing tourism, investment, international engagement, cultural exchange, employment and economic opportunities.
Nagaland’s development case
Existing entry regulation
Foreign access and economic activity
Nagaland’s development case
The Nagaland Assembly said the PAP has become an impediment to tourism, investment, entrepreneurship, business engagement, cultural exchange and international partnerships, and sought its withdrawal or relaxation.
Existing entry regulation
The existing PAP regulates and restricts foreign nationals’ entry into designated areas; the articles do not report a specific response from the Centre opposing the Assembly’s request.
Security and monitoring
Nagaland’s development case
Nagaland said it could protect national security by registering, regulating and monitoring foreign nationals through modern technology and institutional mechanisms coordinated with the Centre and its agencies.
Existing entry regulation
The PAP remains the existing regulatory arrangement for foreign visitors in notified areas, while the articles do not provide a detailed central-government argument for retaining it.
- Resolution
- The Nagaland Assembly asked the Centre to urgently review and withdraw or relax the Protected Area Permit regime.
- Moved by
- Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, who also holds the Home and Border Affairs portfolios.
- Approval
- The resolution was adopted unanimously through a voice vote.
- PAP history
- The regime was relaxed in Nagaland in 2011 and reimposed on December 17, 2024.
- Permit function
- The PAP regulates and restricts foreign nationals’ entry into designated or notified areas.
- Cited economic effects
- The Assembly identified impacts on tourism, investment, business engagement, cultural exchange and international partnerships.
- Security proposal
- Nagaland proposed registering, regulating and monitoring foreign nationals through technology and coordination with central agencies.
- Cited initiatives
- The Assembly highlighted the Hornbill Festival, the Land of Festivals initiative and other tourism and cultural programmes.
Sources
Nagaland Assembly Unanimously Urges Centre to Withdraw PAP Regime
Nagaland Assembly unanimously urges Centre to withdraw Protected Area Permit regime
Nagaland Passes Resolution, Urges Centre To Withdraw Protected Area Permit Regime
