Which Passes Are Actually Restricted, and Why
Not every high-altitude crossing in the Himalayas requires a special permit, but the ones that do tend to be the ones worth crossing. Passes that run along India's international borders, or through ecologically sensitive zones designated under the Wildlife Protection Act, fall under restricted or protected area status. Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh requires a daily entry permit capped at 1,200 vehicles. The Niti Pass and Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand sit in Inner Line zones. In Sikkim, the Nathu La Pass to the Tibet border requires both an Inner Line Permit and a separate border permit. Ladakh's Khardung La, once freely accessible, now requires registration at the District Collector's office in Leh for certain onward routes.
