The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has decided to remove the long-standing necessity for an inner-line permit that prevented tourists, climbers, and hikers from accessing the Milam glacier.

The requirement to carry an inner-line permit to visit the Milam Glacier, which is one of the most well-liked tourist spots in this Uttarakhand district and is located at a height of about 18,000 feet, was negatively harming tourism possibilities.

According to Munsiyari Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Yashbir Singh, “The ITBP has ordered its staff to let every tourist go up to the Milam glacier without carrying an inner-line pass.”

“We received a letter from Robin Kumar, Deputy Commandant of the 14th Battalion of the ITBP, informing us about its decision to do away with the restriction as it was affecting tourism,” said Singh.

In response to a request made by the Pithoragarh district administration last month, the ITBP has decided to waive the requirement of having an inner-line permit for tourists and adventure sport enthusiasts visiting the Milam glacier.

According to a letter sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in October 1993, “We had written to the ITBP on September 15 asking it to lift the restriction,” the SDM added.

However, due to safety concerns and the route’s susceptibility to landslides and roadblocks, the ITBP followed the custom of not allowing people to travel past a location named Lilam, which is 12 km from Munsiyari, without an inner-line pass.

61 kilometers separate Munsiyari from the Milam glacier.

The ITBP has chosen to loosen the standard, nevertheless, in response to mounting pressure from the government, travelers, and businesspeople as well as in light of the MHA letter.

The decision will be advantageous to hikers, researchers, and regular tourists, the SDM claimed.

According to Puran Pandey, a hotelier in Munsiyari, “The requirement of an inner-line permit was extremely frustrating for the trekkers and researchers keen on exploring the high Himalayan region.”

Source- Travel biz
Link- https://travelbizmonitor.com/no-inner-line-permit-needed-to-visit-milam-glacier-in-uttarakhand/