Privacy Policy

We collect information directly from you when you interact with our Portal, request information, or make a booking request:

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  Personal Identification Data: Name, email address, contact phone/WhatsApp number, state/country of residence, and emergency contact details.
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  Travel & Booking Details: Preferred travel dates, party size, dietary preferences, and selected homestay or activity choices.
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  Permit & Regulatory Verification: As an Indian or foreign national travelling to Arunachal Pradesh, you require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) or Protected Area Permit (PAP). We may request your ILP reference details or ID proof strictly to verify registration compliance with local homestay hosts and village regulations.
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  Voluntary Contributions & Transaction Records: Information related to voluntary Green Charges or conservation donations made to the Seinthuk Community Forest Fund. (Note: Booking advance deposits paid directly to host families are handled via direct bank links or cash/UPI transfers, and we do not store your credit card or sensitive banking passwords).
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  Automatically Collected Data: Basic technical logs, IP address, device type, browser type, and anonymous usage metrics through essential website cookies.

We use the collected information solely for community facilitation and guest safety:

1. 1.
   Facilitating Homestay Bookings: Sharing your name, stay dates, and contact details with your assigned local Sherdukpen host family so they can prepare your accommodation and local meals.
2. 2.
   Processing Voluntary Contributions: Recording voluntary Green Charges earmarked for local environmental initiatives managed by Garung Thuk, such as forest management, school nature based education, supporting local livelihood river ranching, and community forest patrols.
3. 3.
   Guest Support & Safety: Assisting you with local travel directions, weather/road updates, and emergency support during your stay.
4. 4.
   Local Legal Compliance: Assisting local hosts with mandatory guest registration logs in accordance with district administration guidelines.
5. 5.
   Platform Improvement: Enhancing website usability and responding to inquiries submitted via our support email address.

We do not sell, rent, trade, or commercially exploit your personal data. Your data is shared strictly under the following limited circumstances:

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  With Local Homestay Hosts: Relevant booking details are shared only with the specific homestay owner hosting you in Shergaon.
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  With Local Authorities: Information may be disclosed to government bodies or district law enforcement if required by applicable Indian laws or Arunachal Pradesh entry regulations (e.g., verifying ILP validity at check-gates).
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  Service Providers: Secure third-party tools used for website hosting, email delivery, or payment processing (e.g., UPI payment gateway links), operating under strict data confidentiality obligations.

We implement reasonable administrative and technical safeguards to keep your personal data secure:

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  Security Measures: We implement modern security safeguards, including TLS 1.3 encryption (HTTPS) across our Portal, firewalls, and restricted administrative access to protect personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.
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  Direct Homestay Payments: Financial transactions for cottage bookings take place directly between you and homestay hosts (via bank transfer, cash, or host UPI QR codes). The Portal does not process or retain payment card data.
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  Data Retention: Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary to complete your travel reservation, maintain regulatory compliance logs, or resolve active inquiries.

Our Portal uses minimal, functional cookies to ensure smooth navigation:

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  Essential Cookies: Minimal session cookies required for portal navigation, language/view preferences, and security.
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  Anonymous Analytics: Aggregated, non-personally identifiable visit statistics to understand which trails, cottages, or cultural guides travelers explore most.
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  No Commercial Ad Trackers: We do not employ third-party advertising tracking pixels or retargeting networks.

Arunachal e-ILP Portal: For your convenience, our Portal links to the official Government of Arunachal Pradesh e-ILP portal (eilp.arunachal.gov.in) and trusted map services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or contents of these external government and third-party sites.

Under applicable data protection principles, you have the right to:

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  Access & Rectification: You may request access to or correction of personal information held by our community desk.
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  Erasure: You may request the deletion of your contact records after your stay has concluded, subject to statutory registration retention required by local district authorities.
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  Inquiries: To exercise these rights, email us at support@shergaon.in.

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in local community operations, tourism regulations, or legal requirements. Updated versions will be published on this page with a revised effective date.

If you have questions, feedback, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact our community tourism desk:

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  Location: Shergaon Village (Seinthuk), West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh – 790003
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  Email: support@shergaon.in
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  Official Portal: https://shergaon.in