mizoram-gears-up-for-protected-area-regime-on-centre-s-call

The Mizoram government has started implementing measures to reinstate the Protected Area Regime (PAR) following the Centre’s directive to reintroduce the regulation after 13 years of relaxation.

The move is being made in response to growing security concerns, particularly due to the influx of foreign nationals from neighbouring countries.

Mizoram Home Secretary, Vanlalmawia, confirmed that the state government received the notification from the Centre only on Thursday, and since then, efforts have been underway to process the reinstatement.

He added that training sessions for officials of the Foreigner Registration Office, including on issuing permits via e-portal, were conducted on Thursday and Friday.

Vanlalmawia further clarified that, at this stage, no demand for Protected Area Permits (PAP) or Restricted Area Permits (RAP) has been made from foreigners entering Mizoram at the Lengpui airport and other entry points.

The notification to the public about the reimposition of the PAR will be issued if necessary, he added.

While the PAP and RAP had been relaxed for the past 13 years to promote tourism, foreigners entering Mizoram were still required to register themselves at the Foreigner Registration Office within 24 hours of arrival.

The Centre had relaxed the PAR in Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland in 2011, exempting all foreigners except those from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, to encourage tourism.

This exemption was extended every five years, with the latest order issued in December 2022, valid until December 2027.

However, following rising security concerns, particularly regarding the movement of foreigners from neighbouring regions, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently decided to reimpose the PAR in Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland. The MHA issued a notification to the Chief Secretaries of the three states on Tuesday, stating that the relaxation would be lifted.

From now on, foreigners intending to visit Mizoram will be required to seek prior permission and obtain a Protected Area Permit, as outlined in the Foreigners Protected Areas Order of 1958.