Context: The Protected Area Permit (PAP) has been reinstated in the Myanmar-bordering states of India, namely, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, following security concerns, particularly influx of illegal migrants from neighbouring countries.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Protected Area Permit System; Inner Line Permit
Protected Area Permit System
- Protected Area Permit is a special permit required by foreign nationals to visit certain areas in India deemed sensitive due to their proximity to international borders.
- Protected Areas:
- Whole of Arunachal Pradesh
- Whole of Manipur
- Whole of Mizoram
- Whole of Nagaland
- Whole of Sikkim (partly in Protected Area and partly in Restricted Area)
- Parts of Himachal Pradesh
- Parts of Uttarakhand
- Parts of Jammu & Kashmir
- Parts of Rajasthan
- A foreign national is not normally allowed to visit a Protected Area unless the government is satisfied that there are extraordinary reasons to justify such a visit.
Related Regulations:
1. Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958:
- All areas falling between the Inner line and the International Border of the State have been declared as Protected Areas.
- Under the PAP system, foreigners must obtain permits to visit these states, as mandated by the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, of 1958.
2. Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963:
- It specifies certain regions as restricted areas (such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim), which require a Restricted Area Permit for foreign nationals.
3. Inner Line Permit (ILP):
- It is a travel document that must be availed by Indian Citizens (domestic tourists) to visit these Protected and Restricted Areas of the ILP states, for a limited period.
- ILP States: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
Note: ILP is required by Indian citizens, whereas PAP is required by foreign nationals for entry into these designated areas.
Case of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland:
- In 2010, PAP had been relaxed for Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland for boosting tourism. However, even then certain restrictions continued. For instance, citizens and foreign nationals of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan origins still needed prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs for entry into these states.
- The current scenario of influx of illegal immigrants from bordering countries necessitated the reimposition of Protected Area Permit.
How can Foreign nationals visit Protected Areas?
- Every foreigner, except a citizen of Bhutan, who desires to enter and stay in a Protected Area, is required to obtain a special permit from a competent authority delegated with powers to issue such a special permit to a foreigner, on application.
- If powers have not been delegated to any subordinate authority by the Government of India, the application for special permit should be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs for prior approval (at least eight weeks before the date of the expected visit).