Stage set for tourism carnivals in hills

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 12 Sep 2019, Darjeeling: The hills are set to come alive with the sound of music and festivities.

 Territorial Administration (GTA) in association with local organisations has decided to hold a week-long Darjeeling Fest from September 20. The events will culminate on World Tourism Day, September 27.

Many believe the festival could be an attempt by Anit Thapa and Binay Tamang to reach out to the public at a time as the BJP had defeated their faction of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in recent elections.

"The UNWTO has selected India as host country to celebrate World Tourism Day, 2019………..this year's theme is `tourism and jobs: a better future for all'. As the chairman of GTA, I, have asked the tourism department to organ- ize a festival since tourism is a major source of livelihood in the hills," said Thapa.

The fest will start with a grand parade in town and the venue for most of the events will be the famous Chowrasta in Darjeeling. "The festival will be a celebration of Darjeeling's beautiful and diverse culture showcased through music, art, dance, sports and food with venues across the town," said Thapa.

Another "cleaning" event, which has the making of a festival, has also been planned for two days from Saturday. The event titled Tribeni Calls: Save Teesta and Rangeet, is being organised by Warnamala Pariwar and Paila Adventure and Welfare Society at Tribeni -- the confluence of Teesta and Rangeet.

Transport threat West Bengal Tourism Forum, an association of tourism stakeholders from Bengal have requested the Darjeeling administration to withdrawn "coupon system" to Tiger Hill by Saturday and hold a review meeting by then.

"If the meeting is not held and the coupon system not withdrawn, we might park along roads vehicles not allowed at Tiger Hill," said S.N. Pradhan, a member of the forum.