North East India's restrictions on foreign tourists lifted
January 29, 2013: The federal government has withdrawn restrictions imposed on foreign
tourists traveling to the northeast region of India.
The home ministry allowed
free movement of foreign tourists to the three northeastern states of Manipur, Mizoram
and Nagaland by suspending a decades-old rule under which foreign nationals had to
take mandatory permission from authorities for visits.
However, citizens of
Pakistan, China, Afghanistan and Myanmar will not enjoy the benefit of the latest
order, which would initially be applicable for a year, an official said.
Travel
to these states will now be easier, but tourists will still have to register themselves
with the foreigners registration officers of the districts concerned within 24 hours
of arrival.
The move to liberalize travel rules is expected to boost tourism
in the northeast which is rich in natural diversity and has high adventure tourism
potential.
The union government and states are eyeing a substantial market
with about 58,000 foreign tourists visiting the northeast last year – up by 18% from
2011.
Officials expect a 25 per cent increase of tourist arrivals within a
year after relaxation of rules.
Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order
1958, all areas in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim and parts of Arunachal Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are declared "protected
areas" and foreign nationals need permission to visit these areas.