The Kalimpong district administration will draft a comprehensive plan to boost tourism in the district amid a slackening in the sector because of the flash flood in the Teesta in October last year and intermittent closures of NH10.

Subramanian T., the district magistrate of Kalimpong, said the proposed road map would be drawn to revamp tourism in the district by involving the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and tourism industry stakeholders.

“We want to prepare a comprehensive plan to augment the footfall of tourists in Kalimpong. The GTA and local communities would be involved in the initiative. As a part of it, we will hold a meeting with people associated with the tourism sector on September 25. Once the plan is ready, we will forward it to the state tourism department for its final approval,” said the DM.

Those associated with the tourism sector said that after the flash flood and regular closure of NH10 to due landslides and cave-ins, many tourists have grown disinterested in visiting Kalimpong.

“Many of them are redrawing their itineraries after learning that they will have to travel around 70km extra to reach Kalimpong from Siliguri as the NH10 is closed. The administration's decision to promote the district is the need of the hour,” said a hotel owner based in Kalimpong.

Subramanian said there was ample scope to develop tourism in the district

“Calendar-based events like the post-harvest event at Koleygaon, the adventure tourism fest at Yelbong take place every year in mid-December. There are options to develop floriculture and horticulture-based destinations and birdwatching sites,” he said.

The administration also wants to promote adventure sports, which are taken care of by the GTA. As of now, Teesta river rafting and paragliding at Deolo are held here.

“There are some more sites where adventure tourism can be introduced and we will take it up with the GTA. Also, we will bring renowned birdwatchers here to train local youths so that they can work as trained guides in the field. We will also focus on a consistent promotional campaign to showcase the district in different forums,” the DM added.

Other tourist spots in Kalimpong include the Durpin Dar monastery, the golf course, Deolo, Mangaldham, the pine-view nursery, and Chitra Bhanu, where writer Maitrayee Devi had started an initiative for the empowerment of women. “Revamp at Gouripur House (where Rabindranath Tagore had visited) and the Catherine Graham Memorial Church is on. They will by the end of this year. These would be newer attractions for tourists in the district,” said a source.