TOURIST PLAN FOR DOOARS

State minister of north Bengal development affairs Gautam Deb today said the state government would soon draw up a comprehensive plan for raising the Doors as a full fledged circuit for tourists of the country and abroad.

Deb, who held a meeting with resort owners of Lataguri, Chalsa and other areas located on the fringes of Gorumara National Park at a resort located around 50 km from here today, said “ The state government has decided to develop the Dooars as a comprehensive tourist circuit. The area has immense potential and is fast emerging as a tourist destination. It has been decided that the state department of forest and tourism will together draft the plan to carry out infrastructure development and other necessary tasks in a planned manner to uplift the region as a circuit, comprising an array of destinations”.

The government has also decided to raise a tourism hub in Gazoldoba, which is located around 25 km from Siliguri and has the barrage on Teesta river.

“The ambience and surrounding areas are idyllic and would pull tourists, provided certain infrastructure is made for them. It is not possible to say whether the state would raise that tourism hub on  its own or opt for a private – public partnership . Talks and discussions have been held with a number of interested parties and very soon, a decision would be taken in this regard,” he added.

According to Deb, the government will make arrangements to disseminate the maximum possible information to tourists visiting the Dooars, with regard to routes, facilities, sites, accommodation, transport and other relevant details.

As of now, there is no such place from where tourists can obtain comprehensive information on the Dooars.

“Some information, in bits and pieces are available with the tourism and forest department. These are, however, not updated information and lack input on new destinations and sites. There is no such place where people can approach to know every possible detail of the Dooars,” said an elderly persons, associated with the tourism in the Dooars.

Deb, while talking to the resort owners, also mentioned that the state government will build a tribal museum at Mendabari, also located in Jalpaiguri district, close to the Chilapata forest near Alipurduar.

COURTESY : THE TELEGRAPH