1 hr ago
West Bengal Plans Tourism Development Along Jalpaiguri’s Karala River
West Bengal’s tourism minister supports a plan to make the Karala River in Jalpaiguri a place for visitors.
The idea came from local MLA Ananta Deb Adhikari.
People might be able to go boating, fish, watch boat races or eat at floating restaurants.
The river needs to be dredged so boats can use it.
Officials say dredging a 15-kilometre stretch is planned after the monsoon.
The Karala flows through Jalpaiguri and then joins the Teesta River.
Similar ideas have been discussed before, but they have not happened yet.
A geographer said the river must be dredged before tourism can begin.
Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh endorsed a proposal to develop the Karala River as a visitor destination.
MLA Ananta Deb Adhikari proposed activities including boating, boat races, fishing and floating restaurants.
Plans depend on dredging the river to restore navigability; a 15-kilometre stretch is due to be dredged after the monsoon.
The Karala runs for about seven kilometres through Jalpaiguri town before joining the Teesta River.
Similar river-tourism plans have been proposed before but have not been implemented; a geographer said dredging is a prerequisite.
- Who
- Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh and Jalpaiguri MLA Ananta Deb Adhikari.
- What
- A proposal to develop the Karala River for tourism, alongside plans to dredge it.
- Where
- The Karala River in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
- When
- Ghosh announced support on Saturday; dredging is expected after the monsoon and Puja festivities.
- Why
- To attract visitors and develop river-based tourism, after restoring the river’s navigability.
Support for tourism development
Conditions and implementation concerns
Tourism potential
Support for tourism development
Ghosh backed the proposal, and Adhikari and tour operator Sabyasachi Roy said river tourism could attract visitors and open a new tourism avenue for Jalpaiguri.
Conditions and implementation concerns
A geographer said dredging to improve navigability is a prerequisite; previous proposals have not been implemented.
Key facts
- River
- Karala River
- Town
- Jalpaiguri
- Proposed dredging length
- 15 kilometres, from the town to the river’s confluence
- River stretch through town
- Approximately 7 kilometres
- Proposed activities
- Boat rides, boat races, small cruises, floating restaurants, fishing and pedal boating
- Dredging status
- Tendering and work orders are complete; operations are expected after the monsoon.
- Previous proposals
- River-tourism plans have been raised under previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments but have not materialised.
Quotes
Ananta Deb Adhikari
MLA representing the Jalpaiguri Assembly constituency
“The government aims to implement such unique tourism concepts in every district and is committed to realising the potential of river tourism on the Karala. Furthermore, to showcase the state’s tourism sector, a West Bengal pavilion will be featured at the World Tourism Carnival held along the banks of the Thames in London.”
telegraphindia.com
“I have also proposed introducing floating restaurants to boost the river’s appeal. The tourism minister has agreed to visit Jalpaiguri to discuss the matter in detail and formulate a plan.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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