Foreigners (Protected Area) Order, 1958

Indian Polity


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 24-Dec-2024

Why in News? 

The Union Home Ministry has reimposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland due to rising security concerns over foreign influx from neighboring countries. 

Key Features of the Protected Area Regime (PAR) 

  • Restricted Access 
    • Foreigners are not allowed to visit areas under the PAR without prior government approval. 
    • They must obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP), enabling authorities to monitor their movement in sensitive regions. 
  • Sensitive Areas 
    • PAR covers regions near international borders or areas affected by ethnic tensions, insurgency, or political instability. 
  • Relaxations and Reimposition 
    • Temporary relaxations have been introduced in the past to boost tourism, such as in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland in 2010. 
    • However, these were reversed due to emerging security concerns, leading to the reimposition of PAR. 

 

Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958 

  • Legal Framework: 
    • The Order, issued under the Foreigners Act, 1946, regulates foreigner movement in sensitive areas. 
  • Inner Line Boundary: 
    • Defines a boundary from Jammu & Kashmir to Mizoram. Foreigners must obtain special permits to travel beyond this line. 
  • Protected Areas: 
    • Regions between the Inner Line and the International Border are designated as Protected Areas. 
    • Examples include Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim (partly Protected and Restricted Areas). 
    • Parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand are also Protected Areas. 
  • Restricted Areas: 
    • Areas between the Inner Line and indigenous tribal territories require Restricted Area Permits (RAP). 
    • Examples include the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands and part of Sikkim.