Why in the News?

The Manipur government has announced that the Central government has re-imposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, all of which share borders with Myanmar.
- The reimposition of the PAR comes after 13 years of relaxation and is aimed at addressing security concerns, primarily the alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar.

What is the Protected Area Regime (PAR)?

Details

- Introduced under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, which is part of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
The regime was created to regulate the movement of foreigners in sensitive areas near international borders.
It applies to regions between the Inner Line and the International Border, primarily areas close to Myanmar in these states.

Objectives: To ensure national security by restricting foreign nationals’ access to sensitive regions.

Implications:

For Foreign Visitors: Special permits and approvals required, potentially discouraging tourism.
Impact on Tourism and Development: Could slow international tourism and investments, reversing earlier benefits.
Enhanced Security: Allows tighter control over foreign movements, addressing illegal migration.
Border Control: Strengthens border management, reducing unauthorized cross-border activities.

Areas Covered

Pre-2010: Applied to all of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
2010 Relaxation: The regime was relaxed for Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, allowing foreigners to visit these areas without special permits.
2024 Reimposition: The regime has been reimposed in these states, particularly due to security concerns related to illegal immigration and border management.

Structural Mandate

Mandate: Foreign nationals must apply for a Protected Area Permit (PAP) through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) or state authorities to enter these areas.
Implementation: The PAPs specify the duration of stay and movement routes. Unauthorized extension or deviation from routes is prohibited. The system is managed under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
Exemptions: Some countries may have exemptions, and Indian citizens generally do not need PAPs to travel in these areas.