Permission for visit to restricted areas Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958 and the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, some areas have been declared as Protected and Restricted Areas for entry and stay of foreigners. However, with a view to promote tourism, some areas within the Protected/ Restricted Areas have been opened for tourism purpose, from time to time, which can be visited by foreign tourists, either in groups of two or more or as a couple in the case of husband and wife, or by individuals, after obtaining a special permit from the designated competent authority. Powers have been delegated to various authorities to issue such special permit. In the case of individuals visiting the Protected/ Restricted Areas, prior permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs is required for grant of special permit. The entire area of the States of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland is excluded from the Protected Area Regime and this relaxation is presently valid till 31.12.2017. Review of Protected Area/ Restricted Area Permit regime is a continuous process in consultation with various stakeholders and no specific time line can be fixed for this purpose. This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question by Shri Dhananjay Mahadik in the Lok Sabha today.
