Kohima: The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Government of India to urgently review and withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime currently applicable to the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton moved the resolution on the second day of the ongoing Assembly session.
The resolution stated that Nagaland is a peaceful state and has emerged as an increasingly important destination for tourism, culture, investment, entrepreneurship and international engagement.
It noted that tourism, along with the service and creative sectors, has become an important source of employment and livelihood, particularly for the state’s youth.
The Assembly highlighted the contribution of the Hornbill Festival, the ‘Land of Festivals’ initiative and other tourism and cultural programmes in projecting India’s cultural diversity nationally and internationally, while creating economic opportunities for local communities and entrepreneurs.
According to the resolution, the continuation of the PAP regime has created impediments to the growth of international tourism, investment, business engagement, cultural exchange and international partnerships in Nagaland.
The state government, however, reaffirmed its commitment to national security and said it was prepared to maintain appropriate systems for the registration, regulation and monitoring of foreign nationals through modern technology and close coordination with the Centre and its agencies.
The resolution noted that the state government, civil society organisations, tribal bodies, tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs and other sections of Naga society have repeatedly called for the withdrawal or relaxation of the PAP regime.
The Assembly therefore appealed to the Centre to urgently review and withdraw the PAP regime currently applicable to Nagaland and restore the relaxation that had previously been in operation.
The House also urged the Centre to consider Nagaland’s prevailing peaceful environment, the developmental aspirations of its people, the importance of tourism and investment to the state’s economy, and the aspirations of Naga youth for greater opportunities and participation in India’s growth.
The Assembly further affirmed that the government and people of Nagaland remain committed to national security, peace and stability, and assured the Centre of its fullest cooperation in establishing technology-driven and institutional mechanisms for the registration and monitoring of foreign nationals visiting the state.
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