Overview
- Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking removal of the Protected Area Permit regime and urgent permit approvals for visiting delegations.
- He said PAP applications for international guests remain with the Ministry of Home Affairs just days before the 26th Hornbill Festival opens on December 1.
- Six partner countries are slated to participate this year, with delegations from France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Malta and Switzerland.
- Rio cited economic and reputational harm from the permit hurdles and noted earlier assurances from Shah, stating the restrictions still remain in force.
- The PAP was relaxed in 2011 but reimposed in December 2024 for security reasons, and the 10-day festival is scheduled at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama.