2 months ago
West Bengal Plans Eco‑Tourism Site Near Siliguri
West Bengal’s tourism and forest departments want to turn a forest area near Siliguri into a nature park where people can visit safely.
They plan to use 50 hectares of a 150‑hectare forest and will get money from the national Nagar Van scheme.
The state tourism minister and forest minister visited the spot with a local MP to see how it could work.
They will write a detailed report and ask the central government to approve it.
The ministers also said they will put fences around the whole forest to stop people from cutting trees.
Tour operators and other people in the travel business are happy about the plan because it could bring more visitors and help protect the forest.
West Bengal tourism and forest departments plan to develop 50 hectares of forest near Siliguri under the Centre’s Nagar Van scheme.
State Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh and Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon visited the site with MP Jayanta Kumar Roy to assess tourism potential.
The project will be eco‑friendly, with a Detailed Project Report to be submitted to the Centre for approval.
Ghosh said fencing will begin immediately to protect the 150‑hectare area from encroachment.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the joint initiative, noting the need for closer coordination between departments.
- Who
- West Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh, Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon, MP Jayanta Kumar Roy, and tourism stakeholders
- What
- Development of a 50‑hectare eco‑tourism destination under the Centre’s Nagar Van scheme
- Where
- Near Siliguri, adjoining the Baikunthapur forest area and North Bengal Wild Animals Park
- When
- Site visit occurred on a Sunday (date not specified)
- Why
- To create an eco‑friendly tourism spot, preserve natural landscapes, and prevent forest encroachment
Key facts
- Project area
- 50 hectares
- Total forest tract
- 150 hectares
- Scheme
- Centre’s Nagar Van scheme
- Location
- Near Siliguri, Baikunthapur forest area
- Departments
- West Bengal Tourism and Forest Departments
Quotes
Manoj Kumar Oraon
West Bengal Forest Minister
“We have been given the responsibility to serve for five years. But development becomes much easier when departmental officers work with commitment and passion. I had no idea about this beautiful location until officials brought it to my notice.”
thestatesman.com
“The idea is to create an eco-friendly tourism destination where visitors can spend quality time amidst nature. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared and sent to the Centre for approval.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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