Locations where tourists require ILP and how its withdrawal will help:

Nelong Valley, Uttarkashi:

Nelong valley is an inner line area (India-China border) opened to domestic tourists only during the day. 

• In Nelong valley, there are two villages-Nelong and Jadong — both of which have been abandoned since the 1962 war when the villagers migrated to Dunda and Uttarkashi tehsils . 
• ITBP and the Army are deployed here. 
• The China border is about 60-km from the Jadong village. 
• Foreign tourists are prohibited in this area while domestic tourists are allowed entry with ILP. 
• The maximum number of people allowed are 24 in a day and they cannot stay there at night.

According to an official, if ILP rules are relaxed, it will lead to an increase in tourists inflow and that will create employment opportunities for locals and they will start to return to their villages.

Niti village, Chamoli:

Located at an altitude of around 3600 metres, Niti village in Joshimath in Chamoli district is the last populated village before China border.

• Foreign tourists can travel to Niti village after obtaining ILP from Joshimath for a single-day visit, but night stay remains prohibited.
• Domestic tourists can travel to the village any time in the year by producing any identity proof.
• The village remains populated with locals for six months in a year as they migrate to lower altitudes like Joshimath during winters due to adverse weather conditions in higher reaches. 
• They return in summers as that is peak tourist season.

Source: The Hindud