GTA forms apex body for adventure tourism in Darjeeling hills

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 : Darjeeling Kalimpong Adventure Association was formed on Friday to promote adventure tourism in the Darjeeling hills under the initiative of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. 

The GTA and the district administrations of Darjeeling and Kalimong had closed adventure tourism in the Darjeeling hills till September16 for the safety of tourists, GTA Tourism Coordinator Dawa Sherpa said. 

The hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong are famous for adventure tourism. Tourists from the country and abroad arrive in the Darjeeling hills to do white water rafting, paragliding, trekking, jeep safari, Sandakpu, camping, rock climbing, and motorcycle tour. 

Along with providing a great boost to the income to the residents of the hills, adventure tourism also seems to have solved the unemployment problem of the region to some extent. The Association has now been formed to bring adventure tourism on the world map. 

Due to lack of concessions and facilities from the government, however, people involved in this business are forced to operate adventure tourism in Darjeeling hills on their own. 

The Association would now function as an umbrella organization and all adventure tourism in the GTA region would come under it, Sherpa said. 

The Association would promote adventure activities and participate in national and international tourism festivals.

Various training would also be provided to people involved in adventure tourism in Darjeeling hills through this association. Chairman of Tista Rangit River Rafting Welfare Association Roshan Bhujel presided over the event at Delo during the day. 

Kalimpong MLA Ruden Sada Lepcha and GTA Tourism Departmental Executive Sabasad Norden Sherpa were also present.