The Alipurduar district administration has taken the initiative to provide an alternative earning option to villagers who have been shifted from Buxa Tiger Reserve to a new location in the district earlier this year.

On August 14, the administration conducted a special camp in Bano Chhaya in Kalchini block of the district where the villagers are staying now to encourage the residents to open homestay accommodations for tourists.

The village where these families are staying is located in an idyllic location amid hills, rivers, and forests.

"We held the camp where representatives of 17 families have applied for registration of homestay accommodations. Once the registration is done, we will hand over ₹1 lakh in two instalments to each of them for improvement of the accommodations which could be used for tourists and visitors,” said Alipurduar district magistrate R. Vimala.

She mentioned that tourists would be encouraged to come and stay in the village and locals would be encouraged to work as guides.

“In due course, we will hold another camp for others who are interested in opening such accommodations,” the DM added.

It may be mentioned that the National Tiger Conservation Authority has passed a clear directive that villages located in core areas of reserve forests should be relocated.

Accordingly, 51 families of Bhutibusty and 191 families of Gangutiabusty, both located in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, were relocated to a new
location in Kalchini block earlier this year.

The site was named Bano Chhaya and each family was provided with 0.08 acre of land, along with cash compensation.

The administration also readied basic infrastructure at the site. Roads were built, and electricity and water connections were provided to the residents. Also, an energized fence has been installed around the village to prevent wild animals, especially elephants, from entering the area.

After the relocation, a section of villagers took the task of building houses and in due course, the administration encouraged them to come up with homestays so that they could make regular earnings.

“We hope the administration will issue the registration certificates soon. We are eyeing the upcoming Durga Puja season to get tourists in our place,” said a villager who has readied an accommodation.

The administration, sources said, will provide necessary training to the applicants about hospitality, etiquette, and culinary.

“The basic plan is to have at least a couple of rooms available for
tourists in each of these 17 houses. There is also a plan to build an amusement park near the village,” said an official.