Indian needs Inner line permit for LEH
Leh Ladakh lies in a sensitive area as it shares a border with China and Pakistan. The only part of it was opened for tourism in 1974 and the no of tourist traveled that year to the region was mere 527 (mostly foreigners) whereas by 2015 -2016 the opened area for tourism have increased and the stats too have grown to 2-3 Lakhs per year. Some of the opened tourist areas fall into Inner line zone which means one needs a special permit to visit them. So, here we will be sharing all about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit, zones under it, documents required for Indians and foreigners and Protected Area Permits.
WHAT IS A LEH LADAKH INNER LINE PERMIT?
Firstly, Inner Line Zones are the restricted areas where civilians are permitted only for a limited duration. And Inner Line Permit (ILP) or simply Permit is an Indian government stamped document issued to the Indian Citizens from outside the state, to enter the inner line permit zone. These are issued to check and note the movement in the restricted areas.
AREAS THAT REQUIRE LEH LADAKH INNER LINE PERMIT
Pangong Tso (Chang La, Durbuk, Tangtse, and Spangmik)
Whole of Nubra Valley (Khardung La, Diskit, Hunder, TurTuk, Sumur, Ranamik, Warshi)
Leh to Tso Moriri (Chumathang, Mahe, Sundo, Tso Moriri)
Leh to Loma Bond (Leh, Chumathang, Mahe, Nyoma, Loma Bond)
ChangThang Valley
Chushul, Hanle
Phobrang & Marsimik La
Leh to Batalik
Dah & Hanu Village
Tangyar Trek (From Leh- Saboo – Tangyar)
Wari la
Merak
PLACES THAT DON'T NEED ILP
Sightseeing with Leh City: Leh Palace, Shanti Stoopa, Shey Palace, Hemis etc
Zanskar Valley: Sankoo, Panikhar, Parkachik, Rangdum, Padum
Suru Valley: Phey, Nimmoo, Alchi, Likir, Lamayuru, Mulbekh
Places on Srinagar Leh Highway
Places on Manali Leh Highway
REVISED CHARGES
In order to obtain a Ladakh Inner Line permit, you will be paying the following;
Wildlife Protection fee: Rs. 20 per person per day
Environmental Fee: Rs. 400 per person
Red Cross Donation: Rs. 100 per person
So for example, if 2 people are visiting Ladakh for 5 days covering Nubra and Pangong, they will pay a total of Rs. 800 towards environmental fee, Rs. 200 towards Red Cross donation and a total of Rs. 200 as wildlife protection fee (20 x 2 x 5).
PROCEDURE FOR LEH LADAKH INNER LINE PERMIT
The Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit can be collected by visiting DC office located in the Leh market opposite J&K bank between 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, through hotel agent or online which is introduced recently in the year 2017.
VISITING DC OFFICE
Before visiting the DC office, collect the permit form from the stationery shop located just outside the office. Fill the form and submit it at the counter along with ID proof copies of all the people traveling and revised charges. The following documents can work as your Identity proofs: Driving License, Election Card, Aadhar card, Passport and Pan Card.
Ensure to submit all these documents before 3:00 pm to take the next day permit. After collecting the signed Permit, get at least 15 or more photo copies done of the same, from the same stationery shop located outside the DC office. Minimum 2- 3 copies will be required in each region for submission at the check posts en route.
VALIDITY OF THE LEH LADAKH INNER LINE PERMIT
The Inner Line permit is valid for 3 weeks for Indian Nationals. And, there is no limit on the number of time you enter the place in the valid period but ensure to have the photocopies of the permit for submission at check posts.
PROTECTED AREA PERMIT (PAP) OR RESTRICTED AREA PERMIT (RAP) FOR FOREIGNERS
The Foreign nationals are issued PAP or RAP instead of Inner Line Permit. They must carry Passport, valid visa and his/her photograph while traveling to the Leh Ladakh. The permit can be applied by the foreigners online at www.lahdclehpermit.in; offline at DC office or through government registered tour operator in a group of two by paying the nominal fee. If the person is single, travel agents can help them in getting a permit. The Protected area permit is valid only for 7 days.
The foreign nationals traveling from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, and Myanmar require PAP or RAP, approved only by Ministry of Home Affairs to visit the inner line areas of Leh Ladakh, because of security reasons. One can also check the other PAP related questions here at Ministry of Home Affairs website and the link is here: http://bit.ly/pap-foreign.
We hope this article will answer all the questions related to Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit and Protected area permits. If you still have any question please feel free to type it down in the comment section below.
