Foreign tourists can visit restricted areas in Ladakh

Restricted areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh region, out of bounds for foreigners, are now open to visitors from other countries with the exception of those from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Burma who will still require Union home ministry’s approval.

The home ministry has approved a proposal to open certain tourist circuits in Ladakh to foreign visitors, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday told the state Assembly.
He said necessary notifications to that effect has already been issued by the state home department.

As per the notification, foreign tourists, in groups consisting of two or more persons and sponsored by recognised tour operators, may be now allowed to visit certain areas of Nobra valley after obtaining permits from the district magistrate of either Leh or Kargil.

Visits to these areas will be limited to a maximum duration of seven days from the date on which the permit for it is issued.

However, nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Burma will not be issued permits without prior approval of the Union home ministry.

Neither will such permits be issued to foreign diplomats and members of international organisations holding diplomatic and official passports.

The restricted areas on the tourist circuits which have been allowed to host foreign tourists include Karu-Chang, La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Lukung-Spangmik-Man-Merak (Pangong Lake), Leh-Upshi-Chumathang-Mahe-Loma Bend (Nyoma), Leh-Khardung-La- Khalsar-hunder-Turtuk-Pachathang Tyakshi (Nubra), Kargil- Khangral-Shaker-Chiktan-Leh and Dah-Garkone-Darchik-Batalik- Slimo-Kargil (Leh-Kargil).

International level

Aiming to showcase Jammu and Kashmir as a safe tourist destination, the state government will participate in the International Travel Fair in Berlin to convince others nations to lift travel advisories to the state, a minister said on Friday.

Tourism minister G A Mir will lead the tourism ministry team to Berlin, where they will bat for withdrawal of adverse travel advisories on J&K.

The state has already participated in the Spain travel fair in Madrid in January this year.