Despite PAP concerns, Hornbill witnessing strong foreign tourists

Morung Express News
Kohima | December 7

Despite the eleventh-hour partial lifting of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in Nagaland for the ongoing Hornbill Festival, a steady number of foreign tourists continue to witness the festival’s fervour.

Foreign visitors, introducing themselves as arriving from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Bhutan, Vietnam and beyond, shared their enthusiasm and the reasons that brought them to Nagaland, particularly to experience the Hornbill Festival.

A buoyant 63-year-old Terry Sweet from Australia recounted his 13-year quest to finally visit Nagaland and witness the festival “with his own eyes.”

“Thirteen years ago, I was travelling in economy somewhere in West India when I met some young people from Nagaland who were university students during the 12-hour journey,” he recalled.

“I've never seen Nagaland, but these young people were just so nice and were just beautiful on the inside, and my curiosity was enlightened by them,” he added.

On the PAP, Sweet shared that he “couldn’t upload all the information until reaching India,” and by the time he completed the requirements and paid about 50 Australian dollars, the waiver was announced.

The Centre lifted the PAP regime in Nagaland just ahead of the 10-day festival to promote tourism, ease travel and strengthen ties with partner countries. 

The relaxation followed an appeal by Nagaland Chief Minister to the Union Home Minister. However, it remains in force only until midnight of December 10.

The PAP relaxation was withdrawn from Nagaland in March 2025 as per a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). All foreigners wishing to visit or reside in the State must obtain the PAP online through the e-FRRO portal; no physical PAP permits are issued.

Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and foreign nationals with origins in these countries, require prior approval from the MHA before visiting Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Nagaland has been pressing the Centre for a permanent lifting of the regime since earlier this year. This year, the Hornbill Festival’s partner countries include France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Malta and Switzerland.

Despite the PAP concerns, foreign tourist footfall has remained steady. The first seven days of the festival recorded 1,831 foreign visitors, according to day-wise data from the Nagaland Tourism Department.

Global perspectives
Seventy-year-old Evaline from France, a first-time visitor, said she was struck by how the “tribal populace with beautiful personalities help preserve the world’s ecology.” Though her group’s stay is brief, they planned their itinerary to “make full use of the visit by watching different activities, traditional attires, and the scenic beauty of some villages.”

Similarly, Nicholas from Germany is on a “tight schedule.” With the partial PAP lifting set to end as the festival concludes, the researcher said he had to adjust his plans, compromising on some interviews and prioritising those requiring in-person interaction.

“I am putting priority on the documentations and leaving other things to email or phone interviews by taking them outside of the state,” he noted.

The partial PAP relaxation, aligned with the Hornbill Festival, also enabled many foreign visitors to finally make their long-intended trip to Nagaland.

Twenty-seven-year-old Efrat from Israel questioned the need for such an imposition. “Looking around the world and comparing this region to other parts of the world where human rights are violated every day and violence is unimaginable, I do not have anything bad to say about Nagaland,” she said.

Describing the locals, she added that people here are “free-minded and peaceful,” and that she enjoys the “vibes.”

Emphasising the need for greater “exchange” and mutual learning across borders, a representative from Bhutan—visiting Nagaland on a government-sponsored trip—noted that “many of our culture, food, tourism and geographical terrains are similar.”

“We have come here to see these similarities we share and what we can learn and explore each other's talents and creativities,” the representative added, noting that impositions such as the PAP may hinder regional growth, especially in the tourism sector.

Despite uncertainties surrounding the PAP regime, the Hornbill Festival continues to attract visitors from across the world—travellers driven by curiosity, cultural affinity, academic pursuit or the desire to experience Nagaland firsthand.

As Nagaland continues to press for a permanent lifting of the PAP, this year’s steady foreign footfall underscores the region’s potential to grow as a more accessible and globally connected destination.