Uttarakhand wants Centre to withdraw ILP from Niti, Nelong valley

Context

The Uttarakhand government had sought withdrawal of the “inner-line permit” (ILP) system in Niti Valley of Chamoli district and Nelang Valley of Uttarkashi district for better border management and expansion of tourism and other economic activities in villages located there.

About “inner-line permit” (ILP) System

• The concept originates from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act (BEFR), 1873.
• Official document: Inner Line Permit(ILP) is an official travel document issued by the concerned state government to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.
• Obligatory: It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into the protected state.
• Regulation:The document is an effort by the government to regulate movement to certain areas located near the international border of India.
• Different from PAP: An ILP is usually significantly easier to obtain than the analogous Protected Area Permit (PAP)which is the document required by non-citizens to enter the same areas.

Why it is demanded?

• In Uttarakhand, tourists have to obtain ILP for locations near the China border, at least in the three districts of Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, and Chamoli.
• To increase economic activities
• increase border surveillance by villagers
• It will also stop outward migration owing to a lack of livelihood opportunities.

Most visiting Tourist sites in these districts

• Nelong Valley, Uttarkashi
• Nelong valley is an inner line area (India-China border) opened to domestic tourists only during the day.
• Tourists visit Nelong valley every year and most of them turn up during Char Dham yatrawhen portals of Gangotri shrine are opened.
• Niti village, Chamoli
• Located at an altitude of around 3600 meters, Niti village in Joshimath in Chamoli district is visited for religious purposes.
• Milam village, Munsiari, Pithoragarh
• Tourists visit here for Milam glacier trek. Villagers in Milam migrate to lower reaches in winters as this area receives heavy snowfall.
• Vyas valley, Dharchula, Pithoragarh
• More than 1000 tourists visit Vyas valley annually, by obtaining ILP to see “Om Parvat from Naabhi village and AdiKailash from Kuti”.