Picture Credit : @sikkimgovt/X
The Sikkim government has decided to open the battlefield destinations of Doka-La and Cho-La for domestic tourists from October 1, officials said.
According to media reports, In a notification earlier this week, Chief Secretary R Telang said Indian tourists carrying voter identity cards would be allowed to visit the two sites under strict guidelines for security and environmental protection.
The decision was taken under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative, the notification said.
Doka-La and Cho-La are located near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction.
According to the notification, tourists will be required to obtain permits from the tourism and civil aviation departments through registered tour operators or travel agencies.
“Permits shall be issued only upon submission of one-night homestay booking confirmation from designated areas along the Silk Route Kupup, Gnathang, Zuluk or Padamchen,” the order stated.
Tourists will be required to pay a permit fee of Rs 1,120 per person, which includes wildlife sanctuary entry and Tsomgo Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (TPSS) fee.
The fee will be collected by the tourism and civil aviation department and shared with agencies concerned, the order added.
Permits issued by the home department for official purposes will be exempt from the fee.
The government has capped the daily entry at 25 tourist vehicles and 25 bikers for both the places.
“Only vehicles with engine capacity of 1,400 cc and above will be permitted due to the challenging terrain,” the notification said.
