Ladakh Removes Need For Inner Line Permit For Indian Nationals

Ladakh Administration has removed the need of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for all Indian nationals who seeks to visit protected areas of union territory.

About:

• Ladakh administration issued notification regarding the Inner Line Permit on August 6, 2021.
• According to notification, requirement of an Inner Line Permit for Indian nationals, including domestic tourists and local residents has been completely removed in order to visit the protected areas.
• Restriction on stay of foreign tourists has also been relaxed from seven days to 15 days in tour circuits of bordering areas like Nyoma, Nubra and places in Leh and Kargil districts.
• This move will help Indian nationals to move to Ladakh and extension of foreigners will boost rural tourism in the Union Territory.

Inner Line Permit (ILP)

ILP is a document required by non- natives to visit or stay in states which are protected under ILP system. Presently, four North-eastern states Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland are covered under this system. Duration of stay and areas allowed to be accessed for any non-native are decided by ILP. It is issued by concerned state government and can be availed by applying online or in person.

Background of ILP

ILP is an extension of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873 under which Britishers framed regulations to restrict entry in certain designated areas. This was done to protect interest of the Crown in some states by preventing Indians (British Subjects) from trading within these regions.