Darjeeling has changed from a destructive to a constructive mode, says Anit Thapa

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, SITONG, FEBRUARY17, 2024 : "Earlier we were into  destructive thought, but now in a constructive frame of mind; and this will help us to promote and improve tourism", Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chief Anit Thapa said during his visit at the Eco-Tourism and Cultural Festival held at Sitong under the Kurseong subdivision on Saturday.

Thapa along with former Sub-Divisional Officer of Siliguri Gopal Lama who is being projected as candidate for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat attended the festival on the second day.

Thapa highlighted how the Tourism Department of GTA was supporting local people to be self-reliant by helping them to start homestays. 

Sitong is famous for oranges. Tourists across the world visit Sitong to seethe orange orchard, birding and trekking. When asked about declining orange production Thapa said scientists and experts from concerned departments were being hired to impart  training to youths on plantation and orange production.

President of Homestay Owners Association of Sitong Padam Gurung said there were around 100homestays in the area but it was important to save and preserve nature and local culture before increasing the numbers of homestays.

He also said that the motive behind organizing the eco-tourism festival wasto exchange views and ideas from people across India and the neighboring country Nepal on developing tourism. 

Homestay owners, tourism entrepreneurs and cultural troops from the Garo Hills, Assam, north Bengal and Nepal participated in a three-daylong festival jointly organised by the GTA, Association for Conservation of Tourism and the Home Stay owners Association of Sitong.