Strangled by Permits

When the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reintroduced the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in the states of Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram last December, more than a decade after it was lifted in these areas, there was little outcry. The centre cited “security concerns” as the reason for initiating the move. However, silence does not change the reality that the regime is detrimental to the growth of tourism. Under the regime, it is mandatory for foreign nationals to obtain a permit to visit specific protected areas in India. Obtaining a travel document may seem simple, but the process can be tedious and frustrating. Ultimately, applications may be declined unless the competent central authority is convinced of the purpose of the visit. Additionally, the application process, along with the various restrictions associated with the permit, is likely to deter potential tourists from visiting these restricted areas. Interestingly, most central leaders and officials who have visited the Northeast sing praises of the region’s mesmerising landscape and natural beauty. Their speeches will be incomplete without mentioning its potential in tourism and how the government of India is making a concerted push to boost this sector through various initiatives, such as infrastructure development and improving connectivity, and how it could change the economic landscape of the region. There is a tint of truth in such statements; the growth of tourism in the Northeast over the last few years is testament to it. However, the re-imposition of the PAP regime will deal a heavy blow to the tourism sector in the affected areas, undoing the gains made over the years.

Nagaland has felt the pinch of this regime. The centre relaxed it for 10 days for the state’s renowned Hornbill Festival, which has become a major tourist attraction, but only at the eleventh hour and not before Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appealed, citing the proposed visit of representatives from half a dozen partner countries. It's better late than never, but this shouldn't be a temporary solution. If the government truly advocates for the growth of tourism in the region, it should lift the regime altogether. Nagaland, one of the least visited states in India and the Northeast due to various factors such as inadequate infrastructure and poor connectivity, faces a significant threat to its tourism sector from the PAP. This sector plays an important role in the state's economy. The demand for the permanent lifting of the regime is legitimate and should be addressed as soon as possible.