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 to set up world class tourism centre at Jalapahar, Darjeeling

Posted on August 25, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

As part of the initiative of West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, the State Government is planning to develop Jalapahar as a world class tourism centre in Darjeeling district.

The family of the deceased Hill leader Madan Tamang has proposed to donate his ancestral house to the State Government for setting up a tourism centre. This house, Rhododendron Dell, will be the central point of the planned centre.

The State tourism department is planning to initiate facilities of village tourism and home-stay in this estate.

The State Government may also go setting up training institutes for home tourism and guides in the same estate, which is adored for showcasing varieties of rhododendrons.

The West Bengal Chief Minister had taken numerous initiatives for the growth of tourism in the Darjeeling Hills which include Lamahata, new Darjeeling and many more such places. Jalapahar will be another addition to the bouquet.

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.

West Bengal Government completes 1500 days in office

Posted on June 24, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Maa, Mati, Manush Government led by Ms Mamata Banerjee completes 1500 days in office today.

In the last four years, Bengal has reclaimed her position as the best among states in several sectors and has become a model for others to emulate.

Governance for all

The government of West Bengal sincerely believes in inclusive governance. WB CM has been working relentlessly working for people of all castes, religions, genders, communities and creed.

When Trinamool Congress led government came to power in Bengal, it had inherited a huge debt amounting to almost Rs 2 lakh crore. Despite the debt burden, governance has not slowed down in the state.

Achievements of the government

Finance and Industry

MSME Sector

Business Made Easy in Bengal

Environment Conservation

Housing for all

School Education

Higher Education

Women and Child Development

International Recognition

Chinese tour operators to visit Bengal tourist spots for international promotion

Posted on June 19, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Around 20 tour operators from Kunming in China are coming to see the tourist spots of the West Bengal to promote tourism from that country to Bengal.

State Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra recently led a delegation to participate in the third China South Asia Business Forum and Expo that was held from 11 to 13 June at Kunming to showcase Bengal as an investment-friendly state.

Dr Mitra said Chinese tourists go for bulk bookings. “We hope that the Chinese tour operators find the state a prospective tourist destination and inflow of Chinese tourists to Bengal increases,” he said. Moreover, there is a direct flight between Kolkata and Kunming and the journey takes just around two hours, he added.

This apart, the State Government has been allotted space in an industrial park in Kunming to showcase handicraft products from Bengal. It will be a permanent stall and it will help in making Bengal products available in Chinese markets.

WB CM vows to build clean and green Darjeeling

Posted on June 18, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced a slew of development plans for Darjeeling Hills.

She said 53,000 toilets will be constructed in the hills for schools and for the community as part of the ‘Nirmal Bangla’ (Clean Bengal) scheme. Stress would be given to set up toilets in girls schools where they do not exist.

Stressing on development of tourism in Darjeeling, called the Queen of the Hills, Banerjee said facilities for the tourists would be looked after by the state government itself.

She emphasised on cleanliness in the hill to attract more tourists and said steps would be taken to encourage more of them to visit the remote destinations of Lava and Lolegaon in Darjeeling district known for their natural beauty.

“I come only for the sake of development of north Bengal and have intention of any politics,” she said.

WB CM, who is on a four-day visit to north Bengal, told reporters that an educational hub was being planned at Kurseong that would provide opportunity for the local youth, who will not be required to leave home to be trained.

Steps will be taken for skill development to increase employability of the local youth, she said.

The development plans were discussed at two meetings with officials of GTA and senior government officials during the day.

The chief minister is scheduled to meet members of various communities residing in Darjeeling today.

State Tourism Dept launches website on Bengali cuisine

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

Not just places of interest, West Bengal Tourism Department will now tug at the gastronomic strings of tourists with a new website devoted solely to Bengali cuisine.

The recently-launched website is a powerhouse of information on Bengali cuisine, various recipes and also provides region-wise information of food available in the State. The ministry hopes this website will bring Bengali cuisine on the international culinary map.

Minister Bratya Basu said, “Tourists who are visiting Bengal will be encouraged by this website. They can now get any information on the food and culinary delights in any part of the State – be it Cooch Behar or Krishnagar”.

“Food is ingrained in Bengali culture. Promoting Bengali cuisine is a great way to promote tourism,” he added.

Experts in the field feel this move will go a long way in boosting tourism in Bengal and boost the restaurant and hospitality infrastructure in the State. Themes like ‘street food walk’ will also be more popular.

Click here to view the website.

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.

Bengal products on China shelves

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

Bengal products will now be found in Chinese markets -courtesy an MoU between Biswa Bangla Corporation and Haohong Logistics Corporation, a unit of the billion Yuan Haohong Group.

Two way trade

Biswa Bangla Corporation, developed by the Mamata Banerjee government, will have a permanent stall at Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, to showcase Bengal products.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Yunnan governor Chen Hao, union minister of state for external affairs and Bengal finance and industries minister Amit Mitra. The Haohong Group has allotted a 100 sq m area in its industrial park.

Dr Mitra said: “Bengal handicrafts will now be available in China. This is a major step.”

Boost to tourism

The West Bengal tourism department also expects better inflow of Chinese tourists to Bengal following an MoU with the Yunnan provincial tourism corporation. The agreement was signed after chairman of West Bengal chapter, Indian Tour Operators Association, Debajit Dutta made a presentation on Bengal tourism.

Stronger ties between sister cities

Another MOU was signed between MSME Technology Centre and Kunming SME financial transaction service, which will act as the backbone for SME infrastructure in Bengal, said state MSME secretary Rajiva Sinha.

Earlier Kunming governor expressed interest in setting up an industrial park in Bengal which he feels should strengthen relationship with Yunnan.

Dr Mitra later said that the Yunnan governor has agreed to send an investors’ delegation to the next Bengal business summit. Mitra urged Yunnan investors to invest in the upcoming Bengal townships, one of the pet projects of chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

“We are building 22 smart cities on private-public partnership. I would request Chinese companies to invest here. Yunnan is very strong in food processing and cold storage infrastructure. We would require investment in these sectors as well,” he added.