After eight years, Australia has withdrawn its travel advisory, which restricted citizens from touring in the Indian state of Assam. However, it has still omitted four border districts - Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo and Sivasagar - which are home to some of the unique spots like Rang Ghar and 'Assam's pyramids' Charaideo Maidams. Australia has categorised the four districts as 'Level 3: Avoid non-essential travel,' categorising them as 'disturbed areas,' which have a 'high risk of internal law and order disruption from separatist and insurgent violence.'
On its website, the country's foreign affairs department also said that they have reviewed its stance on India, though a high degree of caution is still advised while travelling in certain areas. 'We have lowered the level of advice for some parts of Assam,' said the website. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that the Australian High Commission is concerned about the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in force in these areas and will lift restrictions if the act is withdrawn in these states.

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Assam's Kaziranga National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

Countries that advise against Assam
Germany, Canada, New Zealand and the USA have travel advisories for their citizens against Assam. Recently, Assam CM Sarma said that many embassies have marked Assam in 'grey,' with travel warnings. Some of the top tourist spots in the four 'restricted' districts in Assam are:
1) The Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Tinsukia
2) The Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, which is known as the Amazon of the East, in Tinsukia
3) Raidongia Dol in Dibrugarh, which is an Ahom-era monument
4) Charaideo's Lachim monastery
5) Sivasagar's Shivadol is one of India's tallest temples. 

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