Port Blair, Oct 10: With a view to promote tourism and overall development of these Islands, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, modifying its earlier Circulars has removed 29 inhabited Islands of this Union Territory under the Foreigners (Restricted Area) Order, 1963 notified through its Circular No. 506 dated 26.06.2018 from Restricted Area Permit Regime till 31.12.2022, subject to certain conditions specified therein. However, it has also been clarified therein that “separate approvals of the competent authority continue to be required for visiting Reserve Forests, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Tribal Reserves as is the case at present”
With a view to protecting the interests of aboriginal tribes and also in the light of Point No. VIII in the Circular No. 506 dated 26.6.2018, the following instructions are hereby notified for the information of general public:-
i) The provision regarding issuance of Pass by the Deputy Commissioners under Section 7 of the A&N Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 for entering a Reserved Area in A&N Islands will continue as is the case at present in case of India Nationals.
ii) In case of foreigners visiting A&N Islands and wishing to access the tribal reserve, the Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman) shall refer the application to Principal Secretary (Tribal Welfare) for prior approval of the Administration.
In so far as the entry into National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries is concerned, prior permissions of the Chief Wildlife Warden shall be required under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for (a) investigation or study of wildlife and purpose ancillary or incidental thereto, (b) photography (c) sanctuary research (d) tourism and (e) transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary, subject to the conditions and payment of fee as provided in the Rules made under the Act aforesaid. Further, for entry into the Reserved Forest, the permission of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Port Blair shall be required.