GTA should have eco-tourism and homestay policy, say Mirik tourism stakeholders

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YAWAN GURUNG, EOI, MIRIK, AUGUST 13, 2024: Members of the Mirik Rangbhang Valley Homestay Owners Association on Tuesday met Sabhasad Dhurba Bomzan of the Mirik Tourism Department, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, and had a long discussion on rural tourism. They submitted a memorandum for the development of new places with tourism potential within the Mirik subdivision. 

The memorandum made 10-point recommendations for the sustainable development of tourism in Mirik. The 10-point recommendations were broadly divided into three issues: policies, infrastructure, and destination development.

Among them were trade license issues, a no-objection certificate for homestays in tea estates, and a separate eco-tourism and homestay policy of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for the Darjeeling hills. 

The building of infrastructure like parking facilities and pay toilets at tourist points, a Tourism Information Center at Mirik to assist tourists, adequate signages for homestays and guide maps showing destinations at vantage points, and the printing of brochures with guide maps for homestays and destinations in the Mirik subdivision were recommended.

Destination development would not just increase footfall but also increase the duration of stays of tourists, it was pointed out. Destinations like Asalay Falls on the Indo-Nepal border, Mechi River and Kharbani Village, the salamander conservation habitat at Nakhapani 7th Mile, Gopal Dhara Tea Estate, and Kawlay Darasunrise View Point Tower were recommended. 

The Mirik Lake area should be maintained and developed strictly in keeping with its 1974 theme and visualization. Manjushree Park, Manja Tea Estate should also be developed, and new trekking trails could be opened.