SATURDAY SPECIAL

Thriving hill town looks for new avenues for tourism, 

Zoo & Chimney makes in the list

Kurseong has been thriving to get itself developed as a tourist destination over the years. Given the strategic location and nestled amidst the green tea bushes, the otherwise known as the land of ‘White Orchids’ Kurseong is set to get new avenues for tourism. Anand Ghatani, the editor of www.northbengalsikkimtimes.blogspot.com takes a cue on what is in store for place in the coming days that would enhance tourism in this small hamlet.

A trek trail along the forest and serene calmness is what you would experience. Although steep the road leading to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Satellite breeding centre and zoo at Dowhill in Kurseong is all set to attract tourists visiting Darjeeling hills. Right from Deers, Barking Deers, the blue sheep and Pheasants the zoo which is also a breeding centre for wild animals is yet to get completed but if the forest officials are to be believed many tourists have started to flock in to see the zoo.

“The zoo is basically a breeding centre and is a part of the PNHZP in Darjeeling. It’s true that many people have started flocking in to visit the centre but it has not been opened so far. The construction work is on and it is likely that it would take some time for completion,” says a forest official.

Spread over 7 hectares the area was popularly known as Deer Park maintained by the State forest department. The Deer Park though failed to attract tourists in the long run because of the less availability of Deers but the new zoo is expected to give tourism a boost in the region. The area where the zoo has come into existence is basically a forest area and has its own natural beauty.

A tourist can trek along the route upto Bagowda which is another beauty. One can virtually start trekking from Kurseong town situated at an altitude of 4864 ft. Steep roads up the hills will let you see the hill beauty trees found only in the hills called Japonica Crptomeria, the blooming rhododendrons, the while rhododendrons and the landscapes. Not to forget, the famous Victoria Boys School and the Dowhill Girls Schools lie on the same route.

Once you are into the forest area the cool breeze lets you forget the summer heat down in the plains. The old deer park has now been changed into a children park. With rhododendrons blooming at every corner of the garden the park offers you a place at the outskirts to enjoy a picnic for the tourists as well as the local people. And then the satellite zoo after completion will definitely give more reasons for a tourist to visit.

“Some of the sheds that has been made for the animals of course would be kept closed for the visitors. This is because we do not want people to disturb the animals since some of them have been kept for breeding. Some of the sheds however will be kept open for the visitors once the zoo is completely constructed,” added a forest officer.

The forest department says that the zoo although is mostly a breeding centre but it is being designed in such a way that it would also give a boost to the tourism. If such things happen, then it is likely that the local populace will benefit more. The breeding however would be done bringing in foreign species to make it a hybrid said an official.

A guard posted at the centre told North Bengal Sikkim Times that currently there are 13 barking deers in the zoo which is likely to increase. The name barking deer has been derived from the short barking call it gives when it is annoyed or alarmed. It is however the oldest known deer appearing 15-35 years ago.

Apart a blue sheep was brought from the Darjeeling zoo when NBS times visited the place. “The blue sheep has just been brought today. Apparently it is likely that it would be breeded some time later,” added the guard.

If that’s the zoo part that will enthrall you, a few meters away as reliable sources said a tourist lodge is in the offing. The excitement eventually does not stop here.

A walk about 10 kms along the forest will lead you to the place called Chimney, a hamlet crowded by the Nepalese people who depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The name of the place Chimney came up after the Britishers made brick chimney which exists even today and was probably built during World War I way back before independence. Chimney will offer an exotic view of the Mt. Kanchenzonga amidst the green pine trees.

Old timers from the place said that the chimney was used by the Britishers as a resting place when they traveled from Kurseong to Darjeeling via the old Military Road in horses. “It is said that the Britishers used to rest near the chimney, lit up fire and have their food before they started for their journey to Darjeeling. The chimney is brick built and it still exists. The chimney however is in a dilapidated condition but whenever tourist visits this place they make it a point to see it and click pictures,” says Basant Tamang, a resident who earns his living by driving.

“You can take a nature walk along the scenic landscape of the region, the forests and tea estates. Chimney is also an ideal location for the trek enthusiasts. You can trek from Chimney to the Mahananda Waterfall. You can also arrange a picnic in any scenic spot on Chimney valley and enjoy your day. Watching a breathtaking sunrise over Mt. Kanchenjunga and bird watching in the surrounding forests are few other things you can do at Chimney,” he adds.

The local people in a bid to lift the economy have constructed a lodge and also arrange for the fooding that offers you the gorkha cuisine. The cultural dances and songs in the evening is an added attraction for tourist visiting the place.

With all these, Kurseong now is developing as a quiet hill station and looking to thrive in the tourism industry of the hills. Many in the place believes that there are other places to explore in the tourism sector that could really set the stage for the place o become a tourist hotspot.