Government opens up northeast to foreign tourists

The home ministry has relaxed a morethan-50-year-old rule to permit free movement of foreign tourists in the northeast states of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland; with the exception of nationals from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and Myanmar. The significant decision aimed at boosting tourism and opening up the northeast region which is rich in natural diversity and adventure tourism. The government and states are eyeing a substantial market with about 58,000 foreign tourists visiting the region last year, up by 18% from 2011. Estimates are that tourist arrivals can increase by 25% within a year following relaxation of rules.

While travel in these north-eastern states will become easier, tourists will still have to register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district within 24 hours of arrival. The permit regime is being dismantled for a year.

Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958, all areas in the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are declared "protected areas" and foreign nationals need permission to visit these areas. 

This has long been a bone of contention for the travel industry, which feels the permits discourage tourist traffic to north-eastern destinations while states have taken the view that the red tape does not serve any significant purpose. Citizens of Myanmar visiting Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland beyond 16 km from the Indo-Myanmar border would continue to require prior approval of the MHA.