Indian nationals travelling to Ladakh will no longer have to secure an inner line permit. The administration of the Union Territory has scrapped the mandatory permit required for entry into the notified protected areas in the interior part of the Union Territory.?
The Ladakh Home Department has also said that 'residents of the protected area' can visit other protected areas 'without any permit'.
The inner line permit is a document that is required to enter 'protected' areas in several states and union territories.?
It is a document obtained for a fee, and allows Indian citizens to visit or stay in such states.
Visitors to places such as the Khardung La and Nubra Valley would have required such a permit.?
Tourists venturing into these areas will still have to pay the environment fee of Rs 300 and Red Cross Fund fee of Rs 100 each.
The requirements for foreigners remain intact, with no exemptions being made for Protected Area Permits.
The locals are not pleased with the development.?