Plan to boost tourism - New attractions at Bengal Safari Park

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, Siliguri, Sept.15: The state tourism department has decided to introduce new attractions at the Bengal Safari Park in the plains and river rafting in the hills to attract tourists to north Bengal because the tourism sector has been hit by turmoil in the hills since June 8.

Tourists, both domestic and international, had to leave the hills as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha announced an indefinite strike and it is unlikely that tourists would ascend to the hills even if the strike is withdrawn before ahead of Durga Puja.

An official of the tourism department said: "The strike is continuing across the Darjeeling hills and the ensuing tourist season will begin in another 10 days. It is unlikely that tourists will go up the hills destinations even if the strike is withdrawn during these days."

"Many tourists have made reservations in the Dooars and Sikkim and some are even travelling to northeast and Bhutan via north Bengal. That is why, we have planned to come up with some new facilities at the Bengal safari located in the plains and river rafting in the hills," he added.

Officials of the tourism department, along with their counterparts in the state forest department have recently held meetings in Calcutta and Siliguri to work on some of the proposals so that the tourists could avail these facilities during their trips to north Bengal.

Today, state tourism minister Gautam Deb said: "It has been decided to introduce elephant safari at the Bengal Safari Park ahead of Durga Puja. Also, a safari of himalayan black bear will commence from next month. The elephant safari will be an added attraction for tourists who have planned trips to north Bengal but cannot go to the hills because of the strike."

The Bengal Safari Park - around 6km from here located on the fringes of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary - is spread on 700 acres and has Royal Bengal tigers, one-horn rhino, ghariyal, turtles, deer and different species of birds.

As of now, only tiger safari and herbivore safari is available at the park.

The minister also announced that a leopard safari would launched in January in the park. "In January next year, we will open leopard safari. The construction of the enclosure for leopards is in progress. It leopard enclosure will come up on 2.2km stretch. Also, two more tigers and four white peacocks would be brought and released at the park very soon," said Deb.

In the hills, the tourism department is planning to bring in river rafting and other water sports in the downstream of Teesta after Sevoke.

"We are working on a proposal to start rafting between Mongpong, located near Sevoke - 26km from Siliguri and Gazoldoba - around 30km from here on the downstream of the Teesta Barrage. It would bring in adventure enthusiasts into the region. Also, work at Bhorer Alo(light of the dawn) is in full swing," Deb said.

Bhorer Alo is the mega tourism hub planned by the state at Gazoldoba. The project has been planned on 208 acres and the estimated cost is around Rs 2,200 crore.

Along with plush resorts, an ayurvedic spa, youth hostel, hospitality training centre, bird watching centre, golf course, boating, elephant and jeep safaris have been planned on the site.

Private companies which are setting up accommodations at Bhorer Alo, have started working on their projects, Deb informed

The tourism department, he said, has also planned to host two investors' meeting in Calcutta and Siliguri to bring in more private investments into the sector but those.