Govt may soon ease norms to boost foreign tourists in Harsil
Foreign tourists may soon be allowed to visit and stay at night in Harsil, the picturesque tourist destination near Gangotri without an inner line permit. Till now, foreign tourists were required to take a permit to visit the strategically sensitive area which lies close to the China border. After the district administration wrote to the state government asking for the restriction on foreign tourists to be waived off in order to boost tourism in the region, the chief secretary is believed to have written to the central government in this regard.
District magistrate of Uttarkashi, Dipender Kumar Chaudhary said, “Since the Harsil which is situated close to the China border come under the jurisdiction of Inner Line, so tourists are not allowed to stay here at night. They can only visit the area, with due permission from district administration. The locals have been raising the demand to remove the restriction from the town so that the tourists can stay in the hotels and homestays which will boost the tourism, bring revenue to the government and augment livelihood opportunities for the locals.”
He said, the town is blessed with Bhagirathi river, apple orchards, breathtaking view of snow clad mountainous peaks, lush cover of deodar trees and pleasant weather all through the year at 8,500 feet. Besides panoramic view the place is also known for its kidney beans and apple. There is also well known meadows of Dunda where the tribal population of Harsil stay in winter.
“The places such as Nelong, Jadung, Neela Paani, Naga etc in Gangotri will remain prohibited for the international tourists for being situated close to China border, thus being strategically very sensitive So the district administration has not asked for waiving off permits for these places,” said Chaudhary.
