Tourism boost plan for Dooars

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, Siliguri, Nov. 21:The state tourism department is planning to develop two new tourist hubs at Sylee and Kunjanagar in the Dooars.

Sunil Agarwal, the joint director (north) of state tourism department, said: “The work for mega tourism projects at Gajaldoba has already started. Apart from that, necessary survey for the two new tourist hubs to be developed at Kunjanagar near Falakata and Sylee, which is adjacent to Malbazar, will start.”

“We are working on developing spots in Sylee and Kunjanagar as major tourist destinations in the Dooars. These projects will come up in an area of 90 acres,” he added.

Agarwal said the department was planning to utilise the natural resources of these areas to the fullest to set up the new hubs.

“We are planning to utilise the beautiful natural resources in both the areas to set up resorts, food courts, cultural centres, health centres, spa and art and craft centres. All these projects will come up on private-public-partnership model and the project will cost around Rs 1, 000 crore,” said Agarwal.

The department is also going to focus on developing home stays in the region to attract tourists.

“We are also going to start home stays by involving residents of the fringe areas of different forests and other tourist spots. A number of private tour operators have already introduced the concept in the region, which we are now trying to explore by involving the local residents of different tourist spots,” he said.

According to the official, Sylee, around 62km from here, is adjacent to Sylee tea garden, which is surrounded by hills, a river and greenery, making it an excellent tourist spot.

Activities like trekking, bird watching and jungle safari can be an added attraction for the tourists.

At Kunjanagar, around 105km from here, which is close to the Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary, visitors can get a panoramic view of the area’s natural beauty.

“The work for setting up a mega tourism hub at Gajoldoba, in over 208 acres’ has already started and it will take at least two years to complete the project. Over Rs 2,000 crore will be spent to develop the hub where a four-star resort, budget hotel, camping area, ayurvedic spa, golf course and many more attractions for tourists will come up,”Agarwal added.