Heritage tourism circuit in Birbhum

Heritage tourism circuit in Birbhum

Posted on September 16, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Birbhum tourism is not just about Tagore’s Santiniketan. The district has a host of traditional temples which have heritage value and also unique architecture. Tourists can now take an interest in it on their way to Santiniketan via Burdwan.

Prodded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state tourism department has come up with a Rs 20 crore plan to develop a heritage eco tourism circuit in Birbhum.

The authorities have already started building lodges and cottages and will revamp the areas surrounding Tarapith, Bakreswar and Kenduli. The plan is to develop a tourism circuit around Tarapith, Bakreswar, Kendua and Santiniketan. The thrust will be on heritage and eco-tourism.

The Birbhum district administration will be assisting the tourism department in implementing the project. A meeting was held between the officials of tourism department and Birbhum district administration to chalk out plans.

A beautification programme will also be taken up in Tarapith, surrounding the temple, where the roads will be beautified. A tourist lodge will be set up at Tarapith where about 80 visitors could be accommodated. The authorities have already started setting up tourist cottages in Bakreswar.

Plans are also on to provide shelters to the ‘sadhus’ there. Landscaping will also be done along the Dwaraka river. Welcome entry gates will be set up at Jaydeb and Kenduli.

The tourism department also has plans to initiate a public private partnership (PPP) project on a nine-acre plot in Santiniketan to develop eco-tourism.

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Bakkhali tourism project on fast track

Posted on September 12, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The state government has come up with an infrastructure and tourism development project for Jambudweep and Bakkhali.

The Gangasagar Bakkhali Development Authority (GBDA), which was constituted about a year ago, has been working to spruce up the area’s infrastructure.

Benches have been set up with sheds on the roadside and the beach for tourists, while the approach road to the beach has been paved with water fountain. Streetlights have also been installed.

The GBDA is now preparing a land-use plan for the area. A new building of GBDA is also coming up in the locality. Urban development officials visited Bakkhali and Jambudweep a few days ago to review the beautification and development works.

The authorities have come up with a number of plans to develop the areas. A detailed blueprint will be prepared to adopt beach beautification programmes in Jambudwip and Bakkhali as part of the World Bank-aided Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), which is now being undertaken at Digha.

The GBDA will also conduct a survey on how they can redevelop the bus stand and the main market of Bakkhali. A detailed project report will also be prepared for setting up a jetty at Jambudwip.

Urban development and forest officials will attend a meeting on September 16 to discuss how they can develop the proposed eco-trail at Jambudweep.

WB Govt woos investors for tourism in north Bengal

Posted on August 22, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

To rope in solvent investors, north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb has asked the tourism department to start campaigning by showcasing the Eco Tourism Project at Gazoldoba in the Dooars.

Addressing the investors the minister said, “This is a unique project been developed by the Tourism Department”. It may be noted that the Tourism Department has changed the land policy for investors and decided to lease out land for 30 years.

“I will talk to the chief minister for massive campaigning of the project”, Mr. Deb said, “We hope that the investors will come here and set up tourism projects. The state has already allotted Rs 100 crore to develop the infrastructure and 200 acres of land. The infrastructure is almost ready to be showcased globally.”

The investors will be able to access the basic needs through a single window system.

Ecotourism between Bakkhali and Jambudweep to be set up by Bengal Govt

Posted on July 7, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The West Bengal Government has come up with a proposal to develop an eco-tourism circuit between Bakkhali and Jambudweep. The issue will come up for discussion at the first meeting of the newly-formed eco-tourism board on July 8.

The State is also planning on development of Gangasagar. Initiated by West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has prepared a Rs 300-crore plan for Gangasagar development. The plan includes promotion of three virgin beaches in the area without affecting the ecosystem. The plan has been submitted to the ministry of water resources.

The West Bengal Chief Minister during her last visit to Gangasagar in October last year had expressed her desire to develop an eco-tourism circuit between Bakkhali, Jambudweep and Gangasagar. The State Urban Development department was asked to look into the matter and take necessary steps.

Since Jambudweep is an isolated forest island, permission will be taken from forest department for nature trials. The forest department has been requested to take up the matter for consideration in the first meeting of the eco-tourism board on July 8.

The state urban development department has proposed to introduce proper river transport by developing a route between Bakkhali and Jambudweep, somewhere near the fishing harbour point at Edward Creek. A jetty is also likely to be constructed at the north-eastern shore of Jambudweep along with a nature interpretation centre.

Work has already started for developing the infrastructure at Gangasagar. Senior officials had visited Gangasagar last week where a coordination meeting was held. The authorities have chalked out a strategy for developing Gangasagar under the Gangasagar Bakkhali Development Authority (GBDA) that was formed earlier. The GBDA authorities have been advised to develop its tourist lodge with all modern-day amenities for tourists. More wooden cottages will also be set up.

WB Govt focuses on ‘Home Stay Eco-Tourism’

Posted on July 3, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

In the wake of the new tourism development initiatives taken by the current State Government and a deluge of investment proposals, the Government is looking at ‘Home Stay Eco-Tourism” as the next big thing in this sector. Major proponents of this idea believe that this is set to attract a large number of tourists not just from the other Indian states but also from abroad. Decisions in this regard are set to be taken in the nascent Eco-Tourism Board headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee which is to meet for the first time on 8 July.

The Board is set to lay out the parameters for setting aside a room or two for tourists in the house apart from giving several tax benefits. The board will also work towards framing a dedicated and comprehensive Eco-Tourism policy. In the matter of protecting local ecology, the Board is set to move ahead taking cue from the Lamahata model. Task force for the development of models for riverine, coastal, wetlands, hills and heritage areas has been advised. In making the people of remote areas more independent, the State Government is set to provide a certain waiver in the electricity bills, service tax and sales tax, measures will be taken to develop the infrastructure of the areas in terms of drinking water, sanitation and power.

According to the estimates of the State Government, the new initiatives are set to generate employment for about 50,000 individuals primarily. When ‘Home Stay Eco-Tourism’ was introduced in Lamahata in August 2012 just a handful of families took it up, today about 50 homes offer such facility.

Following the major success in Darjeeling’s Lamahata, Eco-Tourism has major scope in Tinchullah, Kurseong and Kalimpong in the Hills. Even though these areas have a picturesque natural beauty there is a lack of hotel and lodging facilities, to harness the potential of these areas, the State is keen to introduce the concept of ‘Home Stay’. The board which is formed in the vision of the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee includes 13 government officials and 2 experts. Vice-chairman of the committee is the Chief Secretary. West Bengal is the only state where such a board has legal approval.

The homes will provide for the staying facilities of the tourist. To ensure that the facilities are up to the mark we will take stock of the facilities that are there such as constant drinking water provision, the condition of the bathrooms and kitchens, etc. These days the tourists want to have the local cuisine and may even want to learn how to make it. All these factors will be taken into consideration while framing the Eco-Tourism policy.

HIDCO to develop Eco Village in Rajarhat

Posted on June 16, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

After Eco Park, now Eco Village, a replica of reality. Those who do not have the opportunity of visiting rural Bengal will be able to experience how an ideal village is – Mud houses, naturally, without AC, ponds with fish in them and which you can fish as well. You can even cook the fish you catch at the new facility.

How about a boat-ride? HIDCO is planning to introduce only paddle and shikara boats instead of motor ones. Ample food options will also be available.

Urban Village

HIDCO’s Urban Eco Village is coming up on an 84 acre plot opposite the Eco Park. A village ecosystem is being developed by HIDCO with bamboo, hay and wood surrounding a huge water body. Here you will be able to go out for fishing, bird-watching or boating, you will also be able to see and taste the dishes of native Bengal.

As souvenirs you will be able to purchase handicrafts. Just as the Maidan acts as the lungs of Kolkata, Eco Park is the same for New Town. Eco Village will be an added oxygen supplier to those lungs”.

Prime location

A broad road stretches from the middle of gates 2 and 3 of the Eco Park starting from the Biswa Bangla Sarani till the end of Action Area 2, various apartments are located here. Opposite that, a huge plot of land has been identified beside Nababpur and Famerhati villages.

Eco Village is being developed around a water-body. Except for the washrooms, nothing else will be made of concrete here. The ducks will be introduced in the pond and various flowering plants and fruits will be grown on its sides.

Tourist attractions

A bird-watching tower is also a part of the plans, apart from the local birds, various migratory birds will be seen here. Open bill bird from Indonesia comes here.

Huts will be made available for resting in the afternoon. People can get a feel of Santiniketan or Darjeeling. Apart from that, village experience from North and South India will be available. Kids will also get a park in this facility.

When seen from the sky, the village will be in the shape of the English alphabet ‘B’. HIDCO has already begun their work as per the schedule.

Nalban facelift gets underway

Posted on May 23, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Nalban Food Park will look new within a few months. The state fisheries development corporation (SFDC) is working on a project worth Rs 1.67 crore to give the park a facelift with extension of the area, new lighting and seating arrangements and beautification of the water body in an eco-friendly way.

A development plan has been chalked out and a boundary wall has been set up, lighting and seating arrangements are being improved and eco-friendly toilets are being installed.

The project is being carried out towards the Sector V end of the Nalban bheri. No structural construction is being done since it falls under a wetland.

Earlier, the forest department, fisheries department and Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority conducted a survey, following which the beautification plan was cleared.

The overall plan is to develop the park as a tourist spot where visitors can spend time and have recreational activities. Keeping this in mind, the authorities even plan to develop it as a water park.

Image courtesy: Makemytrip.com

Tourism gets special focus under Trinamool Government

Posted on May 20, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The West Bengal Government under the leadership of Ms Mamata Banerjee has made developments in every sector in every districts of the State. The Chief Minister has visited each district, chaired meetings across the State with the district officials from Darjeeling to Sundarbans to take stock of ongoing projects and plan newer ones. Identifying new tourist spots and creation of infrastructure for tourists have been one of the agendas of the Chief Minister during her numerous district visits.

The Trinamool Government under Ms Mamata Banerjee had rightly identified that West Bengal with its varied natural beauty has the capability to attract tourists from national and international sphere, and thus earn huge revenue. However, after 34 years of Left misrule, the tourism infrastructure in the State was in tatters. So, firstly, it was decided to renovate the existing to a quality standard and then identify the newer options.

Increased planned expenditure In Tourism under Trinamool Government

In the four year, from 2007-08 to 2010-11, the planned expenditure in Tourism under the Left Government was on an average Rs 16.88 crore only. In the first four years of the West Bengal Government under Trinamool Congress, the planned expenditure in Tourism rose to a total of Rs 331.93 crores, which is Rs 82.95 crores on an average per year. In the years 2011-12 the the planned expenditure on tourism was Rs 30.64 crores. It was increased to Rs 52.62 in 2012-13 and in 2013-14 it further increased to Rs 81.16 crores. In 2014-15, the planned expenditure (revised) was Rs 167.50 crores.

It is observed that while the past Left Government was downsizing the planned expenditure on Tourism year after year, the present Government under Trinamool has been instrumental in increasing the same.

Completed Tourism projects under Trinamool Government

As published on the Economic review2014-15, the following tourism projects have been completed since May 2011:

• Construction and renovation of cottages in different locations at Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong

• Tourism centres in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts

• Tourism centres in Cooch Behar

• Construction of Maldah Museum

• Motijhil tourism centre in Murshidabad

• Chupchar project, Batukeshwar Dutta project and Gopinath Sabji project in Bardhaman

• Ballavpur-Sharmbati project in Birbhum

• Gadiara tourism centre in Howrah

• Furfura Sharif and Chandannagar tourism centres in Hooghly

• Kashipur Mahashram, Kolkata Maidan, Police Museum, College Street, Eden Gardens and other such projects in Kolkata

• Malancha Tourist Lodge in North 24 Parganas

• Tourism projects in Gangasagar and Basanti in South 24 Parganas

• Digha Tourist Lodge in Purba Medinipur

Newer tourism projects are coming up in Bengal

The West Bengal Government has taken up a ne Tourism Incentive Policy in 2015. Under the initiative of the West Bengal Chief Minister, Eco-tourism, Home Tourism and Tea Tourism have been included under this policy.

New projects that are coming up include the Gajaldoba Mega Tourism project, Jharkhali Eco-tourism project, Sabujdwip Eco-tourism project and Jhargram Rajbari Heritage project. Besides, facilities of home-stays are being identified at Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Mukutmanipur and other places of scenic beauty.

Bottomline

The West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee has time and again given suggestions regarding different tourism projects and providing proper facilities to the tourists. The State Government is following the suggestions and also taking part in different tourism fairs nationally and internationally in order to promote Bengal and attract tourists. From Gangasagar in the south to Darjeeling in the north, special focus is being given to tourism and this will be a major success for the State in the coming years.

WB CM inaugurates numerous developmental projects at Bankura

Posted on May 12, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, on the third day of her three-day visit to Bardhaman, Purulia and Bankura, addressed a public meeting at Raipiur.

She inaugurated several important projects like the Patrasayer-Danna Eco Tourism Park, a Karma Tirtha at Bishnupur, a blood Bank at Khatra, new administrative buildings, 59 roads, bridges, a motel (Patha Sathi) at Barjora, irrigation projects, solar energy powered tube wells among others.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones of numerous projects like new bridges, roads, administrative buildings, water supply projects, tourism projects, grain godowns, hostels and a common facility centre for Dokra craftsmen at Bikna.

The Chief Minister distributed from the stage benefits and grants like Kanyashree, forest and land pattas, scholarships, sports equipment and agricultural machinery.

The West Bengal Chief Minister had stopped for the night at Garh Panchakot in Purulia. After today’s programme she will visit Jhargram.

WB Govt to promote homestays at tourist spots

Posted on February 7, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

After eco tourism hubs, the state government is keen to promote homestays at prominent tourist spots as part of its efforts to ensure significant rise in tourist flow to the state. “The government is working on a policy to develop homestays at prominent tourist locations.

The most interesting feature of this policy is that luxury tax will be waived,” said tourism minister Bratya Basu while inaugurating the 5th Destination East, a joint initiative by the CII and the state government.

“Such new trends in tourism would not only drive the GDP growth but would also create numerous new jobs in the state,” added Basu. To promote homestays for visitors, the tourism department is considering offering financial assistance to the owners of homestays, helping them to beautify their dwellings, spruce up toilets and do other value additions.