In News: The Uttarakhand government sought withdrawal of “inner-line permit” (ILP) system in Niti Valley of Chamoli district and Nelang Valley of Uttarkashi district.
Why does the Inner Line permit In Uttarakhand three districts ?
- In Uttarakhand, tourists have to obtain ILP for locations near China border, at least in the three districts of Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Chamoli.
- Uttarakhand shares a 350-km border with China and a 275-km boundary with Nepal.
- Chamoli and Uttarkashi share boundaries with China.
- Pithoragarh is strategically more sensitive as it shares boundaries with both China and Nepal.
Uttarakhand selected zone for Inner Line Permit
Nelong Valley, Uttarkashi
- It is approximately 100 km from Uttarkashi headquarters.
- In Nelong valley, there are two villages-Nelong and Jadong — both of which have been abandoned since the 1962 war when the villagers migrated to Dunda and Uttarkashi tehsils .
- The China border is about 60-km from the Jadong village.
Niti village, Chamoli
- Located at an altitude of around 3600 metres, Niti village in Joshimath in Chamoli district is the last populated village before China border.
- Niti village is around 40-km from Raini village where flash floods in Rishi Ganga river .
- Niti village for adventure of international border that is hardly 40-km from this village.
Milam village, Munsiari, Pithoragarh
- Risk of getting trapped and going missing in snowfalls in that area.
- In winters this area receives heavy snowfall.
Vyas valley, Dharchula, Pithoragarh
- Pithoragarh is strategically more sensitive as it shares boundaries with both China and Nepal.
What is the Inner Line Permit system?
- ILP is a document that allows an Indian citizen to visit or stay in a state that is protected under the ILP system.
- IPL in force today in three Northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram
- How ILP concept comes to India
- Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, the British framed regulations restricting the entry and regulating the stay of outsiders in designated areas.
- To protect the Crown’s own commercial interests by preventing “British subjects” (Indians) from trading within these regions.
- After Independence, In 1950, the Indian government replaced “British subjects” with “Citizen of India”.
- To address local concerns about protecting the interests of the indigenous people from outsiders belonging to other Indian states.
- An ILP is issued by the state government concerned.
- It states the dates of travel and also specifies the particular areas in the state which the ILP holder can travel to.
Source: Indian Express
