Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to resume tourism activities in the state from October 01.
The decision to reopen the northeastern state for tourism was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Pema Khandu on Thursday.
Since the Covid-19 situation is currently under control in the country and the state, the state cabinet has decided to lift the suspension and allow all tourism activities in the state of Arunachal with an advisory to follow Covid appropriate behavior, government spokesperson and home minister Bamang Felix said on Friday.
However, only fully vaccinated tourists (persons who have taken both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine) would be allowed to visit the state at this point of time, he said.
This decision of the cabinet will benefit the tour operators, hoteliers, cab operators, home stays and all tourism related stakeholders as they have been facing enormous economic hardship due to the suspension, Felix added.
The government has also decided to resume the process of issuing Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and Protected Area Permits (PAPs) to the tourists and visitors starting October 01.
The ILP is an official travel document issued to Indian citizens who want to visit protected/restricted areas or states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram for a limited period.
The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act of 1873 prohibits all citizens of India from entering Arunachal without a valid ILP.
Similarly, The Foreigner (Protected Areas) Act requires foreigners to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit certain areas in India including Arunachal.
