There are places in each nation, which are away from the city life and population; surviving their own communities. While these places are not that easy to approach and explore, they are definitely worth a visit; because of their views, the hidden cultures, and much more.
India, too, has several such places in its territory that are NOT ALLOWED for ‘outsiders’ to enter, unless granted prior permission, be it a local or a foreign traveller. Tourists from outside India, who want to explore such dungeons, need to apply for a Protected Area Permit (PAP) in order to enter these locations. Here is a list of 69 such locations, which one can enter only with a valid PAP, and other important things to keep in mind while exploring those areas;
Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Restricted Areas)
1. Municipal Area, Port Blair
2. Havelock Island
3. Long Island
4. Neil Island
5. Jolly Buoy
6. South and North Cinque
7. Red Skin
8. Complete center Adaman island (not including tribal reserve)
9. All Mahatma Gandhi Marine National islands (except Boat, Holoday, Twin Islands, Tarmugli Malay, and Pluto
10. Entire South Andaman island (not including tribal reserve)
11. Baratang Island
12. North Passage Island
13. Little Andaman Islands (not including tribal reserve)
14. Mayabunder
15. Diglipur
16. Rangat
17. Mt. Harriet
18. Madhuban
19. Ross Island
20. Narcondum Island
21. Interview Island
22. Brother Island
23. Sister Island
24. Barren Island
Things to keep in mind;
– Locations from #14 to #24 are open to visit only during days, and night visits are strictly prohibited.
– Individual tourist entry is allowed with a permit of 30 days ONLY
– MHA & FRROS, All India Mission abroad, Chief Immigration Officer (Chennai), Immigration Officer (Port Blair) are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Arunachal Pradesh (Protected Areas)
25. Itanagar
26. Ziro
27. Along
28. Pasighat
29. Miao
30. Namdapha
31. Sujesa Bhalukpong
Things to keep in mind;
– Individual tourists are NOT ALLOWED and only groups can enter with a permit for 10 days.
– Apply at least 4 weeks in advance of arrival.
– Home Commissioner, Itanagar (Govt. of AP), all FRROs (in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata), Chief immigration officer (Chennai), and All India Missions abroad are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Himachal Pradesh (Partially Protected Areas)
32. Poo – Khab – Sumdho – Dhankar – Tabo – Gompa – Kaza
33. Morang – Dabling
Things to keep in mind;
– Individual tourists are NOT ALLOWED
– The spots are only for trekking visits
– MHA, Govt. of HP, DM/SDM concerned, ITBP special commissioner (tourism)/ Resident Commissioner are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit
Jammu & Kashmir (Restricted Areas)
34. Khaltsey Sub Division
35. Nubra Sub Division
36. Nyona Sub Division
Things to keep in mind;
– Individual tourists are NOT ALLOWED
– Permit granted for only 7 days
– A group must be of at least 4 to 20 members, accompanied by a liaison officer.
– Ministry of Home Affairs and District Magistrates are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Lakshadweep Islands (Protected Areas)
37. Bangaram
38. Suheli Islands
Things to keep in mind;
– Lakshadweep administration, Willingdon island, Harbour road, Kochi-3 are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit
Manipur (Protected Areas)
39. Lohtak Lake
40. Imphal
41. Moirang INA memorial
42. Keibul Deer Sanctuary
43. Waithe Lake Kongjam War Memorial
Things to keep in mind;
– Individual tourists are NOT ALLOWED
– Permit granted for only 6 days
– All India Missions abroad, all FRROs & MHA, State Govt. of Manipur are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Mizoram (Protected Areas)
44. Vairangtey
45. Thingdawl
46. Aizawl
Things to keep in mind;
– Individual tourists are NOT ALLOWED
– Permit granted for only 10 days
– Home Commissioner, Aizwal (Govt. of Mizoram), all FRROs (in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata), Chief immigration officer (Chennai), and All India Missions abroad are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Nagaland (Protected Areas)
47. Dimapur District : Dimapur town, Chumudima Sethkima, all locations that come on NH 39 en-route Kohima town
48. Kohima District : Kohima town, Khonoma Dzulakie Kigwema, Jakhama Viswema, Khuzama, Japhfu, Dzuku Valley
49. Mokochong District : Mokochong town, Lungkhum, Ungma, Impur, Tuli, Chani,
50. Wokha District : Wokha town, Doyang, Vankhosand, Tsunki, Governer’s Camp and Mount Tlyi
Things to keep in mind;
– Home Commissioner (Govt. of Nagaland), all FRROs (in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata), Chief immigration officer (Chennai), MHA, and All India Missions abroad are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Rajasthan (Partially Protected Areas)
51. Western side of NH 15 stretching from Sriganganagar to Sanchore except;
- The peripheral areas of cities, towns and villages on NH 15
- The city limits of Suratgarh, Bikaner, Phalodi, Pokaran, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sanchore
- Villages and areas of tourist interests in Jaisalmer, Amarsagar, Ludwara, Kuldara, Bda Bagh, Akal, Sam, and Unda
Things to keep in mind;
– MHA and DM are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Sikkim (Partially Protected Areas)
52. Gangtok
53. Rumtek
54. Phodang
55. Tashiging
56. Pemayangtsey Khecheperi
57. Zongri
58. Tsangu (Chhangu lake in East Sikkim)
59. Mangan
60. Tong
61. Singhik
62. Chungthang
63. Lachung
64. Yumthang
Things to keep in mind;
– Individual tourists are ALLOWED for locations from #52 to #56 and NOT ALLOWED for the remaining.
– Permit granted for a period of 15 days only.
– Permit for locations from #59 to #64 is allowed for a period of 5 days only.
– MHA, all FRROs, All India Missions abroad, Immigration Officers at airports (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai), Chief Secretary/Home Secretary (tourism), Gangtok IGP, Sikkim Govt. (New Delhi), Assistant Resident Commissioner, Govt. of West Bengal are the authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Uttarakhand (Partially Protected Areas)
65. Nanda Devi Sanctuary
66. Niti Ghati
67. Kalindi Khal
68. Uttar Kashi
Adjoining areas of Milam Glacier
Things to keep in mind;
– Individual tourists are NOT ALLOWED
– Govt. of Uttaranchal, DM/SDM concerned ATBP, MHA are the only authorities that have the power to grant the permit.
Volunteering work demands a lot of time and dedication, and once you are over with your volunteer program in India these places are the spots you got to visit to unleash the privacy behind it. Volunteering India provide handy assistance in obtaining the permit to visit any of these locations.
For more information and FAQs related to volunteering in India, get in touch with our program advisor at [email protected].
Note: A fee of $30 is charged for Protected/Restricted Areas permit for all nationalities.
