After 8 years Mirik Lake in Dist. Darjeeling gets some mending

DARJEELING: Mirik Lake, a popular tourist destination located at the foothills of Kurseong subdivision, is finally getting renovated with the initiative of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC).

In 2003-2004, a project was undertaken by the DGHC to beautify the lake and it was sanctioned by the Centre under the National Lake Conservation (NLC) scheme. However, the project failed to take off following some technical difficulties. But things have again taken off in the right direction with the DGHC pursuing the matter with the central government.

"DGHC faced several technical difficulties and only some work could be undertaken. After the recommendation of an advisory committee, formed by the state urban development department, we have made some revision in the old project plans and are now ready to start work," said Anil Verma, the DGHC administrator. The 6-member panel has technical experts and engineers from IIT Kharagpur.

So far, the process of weeding the area, construction of the boat stand and renovation of a lodge, owned by the DGHC, at a cost of Rs 60 lakh have been taken up. "We hope to complete the beautification of Mirik Lake in a couple of months," added Verma.

Disposal of waste and sewage water from the local houses and siltation pollute the lake and this needs to be checked immediately. "Since the lake is surrounded by residential apartments, all the wastes and sewage water are diverted towards the lake. Another problem is the collection of debris from streams located on the upper fringes whenever there is a rainfall. We need to address these problems soon," pointed out Verma.

The Mirik Lake is a popular destination and tour operators offer tourists a full day tour of the areas, besides other spots in the Darjeeing subdivision. However, tourists, lately, have been complaining about the lack of facilities and the poor condition. Besides, the lush green tea gardens surrounding Mirik, tourist can also take boat rides.

The project cost has been pegged at over Rs 4 crore, as there was a delay in starting the work. "Initially, the project cost was fixed at Rs 4 crore, but the delay and additional works mean the estimate will rise," Giving a proper idea The exact estimate is tough At the moment we cannot say by how much though,"said Verma.

Source: Times of India

Safe message for visitors

Tour operators in north Bengal have assured tourists through a campaign that the region was safe and all facilities in place for visitors.

According to the operators, roads leading to different destinations across the hills, except North Sikkim, are open and visitors can travel in the region during Puja without any problems.

Representatives of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA), who held a seminar on Tuesday to mark World Tourism Day, said helpdesks would be set up in six places from October 1 to 8 to guide tourists who would visit the region during Durga Puja.

The counters that would be set up in New Jalpaiguri railway station, Bagdogra airport and Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus, among other places, will be manned by tour operators and hotelliers.

“North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb has insisted that our members should be posted at the helpdesks to extend co-operation to tourists reaching any of the entry points during Puja holidays,” Raj Basu, an adviser to the EHTTOA, said.

According to Basu, the industry has suffered an annual loss of 65 per cent in the past three-four years because of the political disturbance in the hills.

“Things were favourable this season, which would commence from this weekend, and the season was historical considering the rate of inquiries and the bookings. Things, however, were affected to some extent because of the recent earthquake but we want to pass (on) a clear message to the visitors that the situation is perfectly normal here and there is nothing to worry,” he said.

The EHTTOA introduced an “any time auto” service in town yesterday to handle the rush of visitors.

“Any person can call up (9434891056) and ask for an auto-rickshaw that would be available round the clock,” Samrat Sanyal, the EHTTOA president, said.

He added that the service has started with a few auto-rickshaws that are being parked along Hill Cart Road.

But later more vehicles would be introduced depending on the demand, he said.

Source: The Telegraph

Seven green hamlets ready to take guests Villagers in kalimpong and dooars to open homes for tourists

Seven forest villages are being readied for tourists wanting to visit the hills and the Dooars to unwind during the Pujas close to the wild green world.

Forest dwellers living in small hamlets within reserve forest areas in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts have joined hands to initiate community-based tourism to improve their socio-economic condition.

Buoyed by a proposal from the National Forum for Forest People and Forest Workers, many of them have readied infrastructure like accommodation in at least seven locations in Kalimpong and the Dooars.

“There are 220 forest villages in north Bengal. Of these, we have identified 20 villages and have readied seven locations where tourists can visit right now,” said Saumitra Ghosh, a senior representative of the National Forum, today.

Around six lakh people reside in the 200 or so forest hamlets.

“Considering the idyllic locations of the forest villages, we had selected them for promotion for sites of community-based tourism. Each village will have a committee which will monitor all activities associated with tourism.”

People can come and stay in the homes of the forest dwellers, enjoy the local cuisine and witness their lifestyle and culture at close quarters. Added to these, excursions to forests, mountains and historical ruins like Buxa Fort would be made arranged for them, he added.

In the hills, the selected hamlets include Mungpoo, made famous by Rabindranath Tagore — the bard visited the place four times between 1935 and 1940 — and the orange and the cinchona plantations.

Located near it is Sitong, another hamlet famous for oranges. Chatakpur, close to Kurseong, is also an idyllic location.

“In the Dooars, we have selected villages like Buxa Sadare, Lepchakha, which is also in the Buxa hills and Kathambari and Samsing, both located near Lataguri. People can stay in local homes while enjoying nature and wildlife at Gorumara National Park and the Chapramari wildlife sanctuary nearby. Buxa has attractions like the tiger reserve, Buxa Fort and Rupam Valley. Lepchakha is a Drukpa village where tourists can enjoy traditional sports like archery,” a National Forum representative said. Drukpa is a tribe with origins in Bhutan.

Committees have been formed with local villagers as members. They will apprise the others of the hospitality they are expected to extend to the visitors.

“Since the villages are ready, we have decided to take the help of a local tourist service provider to campaign for our locations and help bring in visitors, make arrangements for transport and book accommodations,” Ghosh said.

He said the charges had not been fixed yet.

“But a portion of the earnings would be handed over to the agency that will do the campaign as service charge.”

Debashis Chakraborty, who runs Wind Oz Tours and Travels in Siliguri — the enterprise that will act as intermediary between tourists and forest villagers — said the firm had already started working at each location and initiated a planned campaign.

“We are eyeing the ensuing season and hope to bring in tourists to these villages. Community-based tourism is gaining popularity by the day and many tourists, while choosing remote and quiet places to rejuvenate themselves during vacations, prefer homestays to get a taste of nature,” he said.

Forest dwellers like Shyamal Rava of the Dooars and Govind Roka of Kurseong said village tourism would open a new opportunity for them. “There are several educated youths in villages who have not got much employment opportunity,” Roka said.

“This initiative would help them get involved in an economic activity from their homes itself. Absence of jobs and opportunities have prompted many youths, who have worked and conserved the forests and wildlife over generations, to move out of their villages. We feel that through introduction of tourism, economic problems of forest villagers would be mitigated to a considerable extent.”

The Telegraph

Govt blamed for Morcha bandh

The tourism sector and the business community today hit out at the state government for remaining silent to the 10-day strike of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, fearing that the ripple effect of the bandh may extend till the Pujas.

“Over the past two-and-a half years, the tourism sector in north Bengal has suffered, not only because of the frequent strikes and agitation but the silence of the state government as well,” said Raj Basu, the working president of the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association. “The current tourist season usually extends till mid-June when the forests close down and the rains come. We fear the Morcha announcement would lead to random cancellations throughout the Darjeeling hills and Dooars. It might even discourage tourists from visiting north Bengal during the Durga Puja.”

Earlier, Basu had said that at least 1 lakh tourists visit this region during the peak season. “And this time, about 10,000 extra tourists have been coming here per week,” Basu said. Cancellations in Darjeeling had started with the announcement of the weekend strike. “Moreover, the peak season in the circuit here is of 60 to 70 days and unfortunately, the strikes are eating up those days,” Basu had said. The summer this year had proved to be a boom for the tourism sector, with hotels in Darjeeling hills and the Dooars reporting an overcrowding. This, however, changed suddenly with Morcha’s announcement of the 48-hour strike on May 15 and 16, followed by the announcement of the 10-day blow.

Businessmen, too, have started counting losses. “It is not only the strike but we are also concerned about the probable repercussions (in the form of violence) as some organisations have threatened to oppose it as well,” said Biswajit Das, the general secretary of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, north Bengal. “We do not support any strike and feel there can be deterioration in law and order, which means further losses.”

Das was hinting at the 72-hour strike called by the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad from May 17. The shutdown, however, has nothing to do with the statewood agitation. The Parishad, however, will oppose the Morcha bandh tooth and nail.

“We have been demanding Sixth Schedule status for 315 mouzas in the Terai and Dooars for development of tribals,” said Parishad state general secretary Tezkumar Toppo. “We will oppose tooth and nail any attempt to include the Terai and Dooars in the interim set-up or Gorkhaland and will also oppose the strike. We will give an apt reply in case the set-up is thrust on us.”

Another anti-Gorkhaland outfit, the Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Banchao Committee, will also oppose the Morcha shutdown. Bhasha Committee president Mukunda Majumdar said the Centre and state should stop the Morcha from “violating the constitution and law any further.” It has called a 24-hour strike tomorrow to protest the interim set-up.

“Morcha leaders are law-breakers and the announcement shows their arrogance. We will actively oppose any strike called by the Morcha,” he said.

Minister Asok Bhattacharya whose government has been accused of being a silent spectator said the Morcha announcement spoke of the hill party’s insecurity. “The Morcha is fast loosing its foothold and we won’t be surprised if the common people start protesting soon,” said Bhattacharya, who has represented the state in the first round of political- talks.

Source: The Telegraph

Darjeeling Hills ailing, tourists turn other way - Rock garden destroyed & ropeway defunct

Darjeeling, May 7: Brand Darjeeling has failed to deliver, tour operators feel.

The looming Himalayas are still there and so are the tea gardens carpeting the verdant slopes and the tiny train negotiating the breathtaking loops, but all of them are either suffering from too much exploitation without an infrastructure to tackle it, or too little leaving much to be tapped.

Rock garden and Gangamaya Park have been consigned to the pages of history following the devastating landslide caused by Cyclone Aila last year. The Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway has not reopened since the fatal accident on October 19, 2003, in which three cabins jumped the cable, killing four tourists.

Visits to tea gardens depend on luck, while stay in the colonial garden bungalows is almost impossible. The famed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has failed to live up to its expectation as an international tourist attraction.

“International tourists nowadays stay in Darjeeling for two days only. Earlier, it was three days. Something needs to be done urgently,” said Suresh Periwal, the chairman of the north Bengal and Sikkim chapter of the Indian Association of Tour Operators.

“In the mornings, we take the tourists to Tiger Hills and a monastery in Ghoom. This is followed by a train ride and visits to Darjeeling zoo, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Tibetan Refugee Centre. The second day is reserved for a tea garden visit, which depends on a lot of factors,” said Periwal.

Till a few months ago, gardens did not allow visitors to enter their factory. “Visiting a garden to see the manufacturing process entirely depends on luck as the management might suddenly decide against allowing any visitors.”

The DHR was not able to operate its steam engines recently because of poor quality of coal. “Apart from the bare minimum facilities, the DHR has nothing to flaunt,” said a visibly upset Periwal.

Nobody is sure why the ropeway has not yet been reopened. A WBFDC official said the repair of the ropeway had been completed and the matter lies with PWD. “The matter has even reached the chief minister and the chief secretary’s desk. We are unaware of the final decision,” said a forest official.

Tea garden officials agree that many estates wanting to use their bungalows for tourism have either not received all required permissions or have developed a cold feet because of the political turmoil in the hills.

Only three gardens, Tamsong, Ghoomti and Glenburn, have opened up to tourism. “But these estates have only 4-6 rooms each, which is insufficient to meet the demands,” said a tour operator.

One of Darjeeling’s biggest attraction, a trek to Sandakphu — the only place on the earth from where four peaks above 8,000 meters, Mt. Everest, Mt Kanchenjunga, Mt Lotse and Mt Makalu — can be viewed, has failed to tap its potential. Once Singalila, where Sandakphu is located, was declared a national park, the forest department ordered that trekkers could not pitch a tent in the area. “What is the charm if the trekkers can’t stay in tents?” asked Periwal.

The lack of a specific tourism policy is hitting Darjeeling hard. The Telegraph has found that every work related to tourism brings a host of state departments in play, like the DGHC, tourism, forest, PWD and land and land reforms (for tea gardens). “Yes, a single window system for addressing all tourism-related issues is the only solution,” said a tour operator.

Many have suggested that state should form a specific board for the Darjeeling hills, which would include the district magistrate, principal secretaries of all the tourism-related departments and the DGHC so that the irritants can be removed. “Even if the heads of all the departments meet twice a year, a lot of issues can be solved,” said another tour operator.

Source: The Telegraph

Darjeeling Winter tourist flow

Darjeeling, lovingly called ‘the Queen of hill station’ never ceases to beckon those who are enamored of the Himalayas with its celestial charm. Its beauty changes in tune with the changes in the seasons. Darjeeling in the winter has a special fascination for those who can brave the icy cold climate there. The number of the tourists who can enjoy nature while grappling with the bitter cold is, of course, not much. Yet, the tourist-flow never stops fully.

Winter in the hills now literally bites with the mercury dropping down almost near freezing point with the approach of the night. The temperature is said to be hovering somewhere between two degree centigrade and five degree centigrade during the nocturnal hours. The cold wind getting, as it were, into the skin and an impenetrable fog reducing everything to invisibility are now keeping this hill station in their thralldom with a feeble sun only occasionally peeping out from behind the penumbra of a somber greyness.

At present there is a lull in the number of the tourists coming to Darjeeling. However, according to Mr Gopal Lama, the deputy director, department of tourism, government of West Bengal, this lull is short-lived. ‘With the approach of the Christmas the Darjeeling hills are getting ready to assume a colorful look. For the coming 10 days Darjeeling will be brimming with a large number of tourists who will especially come from different parts of West Bengal to spend the Christmas amidst the grey whiteness of the Himalayas which has a queer attraction of its own. The foreigners have already arrived there in large numbers. Most of the hotels are now booked for the coming festive season'.

The political scenario in the hills is far from being a congenial one from the point of view of the tourism-prospects. Over the issue of the Sixth Schedule, political tension and bickering are now on the cards. Possibilities of indefinite bandhs cannot be ruled out. There is a definite smell of an impending restlessness and violence in the air of the misty hills. Yet, Darjeeling can never be wholly void of its peculiar charm and no amount of political malevolence can rob it of its transcendental fascination.

Source: The Statesman

Darjeeling open to tourists

Darjeeling, ‘the Queen of hill stations’ always exercises a fantastic spell over those who are enamored of the Himalayas. There are many things to fascinate the tourists there. But the majestic view of the ever snow-capped Kanchenjunga is something which is literally transfixing.

All the year round people from different parts of India keep pouring into this picturesque hill station in enormous numbers. But so far as the Bengalis are concerned their love for this place is simply indescribable. Mr Gopal Lama, deputy director, department of tourism, Government of West Bengal, becomes effusive while speaking of the Bengalis’ long enduring attachment with this place. “Really it is incredible~the Bengalis’ indomitable passion for the Darjeeling hills”, he said. “The roads are almost impassable owing to the huge presence of the tourists. The festive season is continuing. The climate also is extremely soothing with the mercury dropping down to eight degree centigrade with the fall of night”, he said.When asked about the problem of water scarcity and power cuts which prove to be a sort of a dampener for this celebrated tourist spot, he said: “The problem of water scarcity is there. It has always been there. “But the fact is that the tourists take this problem in their stride while enjoying the transcendental beauty of the hills.

As for the problem of frequent power cuts the situation is improving.” Regarding the problem of transportation Mr Lama has said: “Many alternative routes have been opening up. One can go to Darjeeling via Kurseong through Pankhabari and Rohini. There are other roads also via Mirik and Mongpu. “The pressure on the traditional Hill Cart Road is therefore naturally decreasing”, he remarked. Brushing aside the problem of political tension he affirmed, “GNLF factions are there. Besides, there are internecine feuds between them too. But they have nothing to do with the tourists, who enjoy free movement here.”

Source: The Statesman