The Sikkim government has officially discontinued the issuance of physical permits for foreign nationals visiting protected and restricted areas of the state, making online clearance mandatory for all such travellers.
In an official communication issued by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the state government stated that the decision follows strict directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The directive clearly specifies that no Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) shall be issued in physical form under any circumstances.
As per the revised guidelines, foreign nationals are permitted to visit only Tsomgo (Changu) Lake in East Sikkim and Yumthang Valley along with Zero Point in North Sikkim, subject to obtaining the necessary online permits through the designated permit cell.
The move is aimed at ensuring stricter compliance with national security norms while streamlining the permit process through digital means.
