New Delhi: Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland have been excluded from the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime for foreign tourists till December 31, Rajya Sabha was informed on wednesday.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the entire areas of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland have been excluded from the PAP regime for foreign tourists subject to certain conditions.
Certain relaxations have also been allowed in PAP regime in Arunachal Pradesh, he said in reply to a written question.
Proposal is under consideration for simplifying the permit system for Green Lake trekking in Sikkim.
A foreign national is not normally allowed to visit a Protected Area unless it is established to the satisfaction of the government that there are extra-ordinary reasons to justify such a visit.
Every foreigner, who desires to enter and stay in a Protected Area, is required to obtain a special permit from a competent authority to issue such a special permit to a foreigner on application.
In cases where the powers have not been delegated to any subordinate authority by the Government, the application for special permit should be referred to the Home Ministry for prior approval, at least eight weeks before the date of the expected visit.
With a view to promote tourism, some areas notified by the government can be visited by foreign tourists, either in groups, or as a couple in the case of a husband and wife, or by individuals, after obtaining the necessary permit from the competent authority. (PTI)
