Opening Ladakh's inner areas for tourists taken up with MHA: Govt

The Jammu and Kashmir government has taken up with the Centre the opening of inner line areas of the Ladakh region for foreign tourists which are till now out of bounds for them as they are covered under the protected areas regime, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly was informed on Sunday.

Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly, Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone said the government had taken up the matter for permitting foreign tourists to visit Panamik-Warshi, including Yarma-Gonpa and Yarma Gonboo Monastry in Ladakh, with the Union home ministry recently.

He said that these areas fall in northern border districts of Jammu and Kashmir and are covered by the protected area regime for foreigners.

The issue was raised by Congress member Nawang Rigzin Jora in the Legislative Assembly.

The minister informed that an order has already been issued by the government under which domestic tourists are now permitted to visit places beyond Panamik up to Warshi, including Yarma-Gonpa and Yarma Gonboo Monastry in Nobra sub-division tourist circuit.

He said that the government has identified tour circuits including Leh-Kharu-Changla-Durbuk-Tangse-Spangmik-Maan-Merak, Leh-Upshi-Chumathang-Mahey-Puga-Tsomoriri/Korzok, Leh-Upshi-Deprin-Puga-Tsomoriri/Korzok in Nyoma sub-division and Leh-Kharzongla-Khalsar-Tirthi upto Panamik, Leh-Kharzongla-Khalsar-Deskit-Kunder up to Turtuk-Pachathank and Leh-Saboo-Digar-Lobab-Khyungru-Tangyar in Nobra sub-division where foreign tourists are presently permitted to visit with certain conditions under the 'Protected Areas regime.