The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will launch a 7km white orchid heritage walk to attract tourists to Kurseong.

Historically, Kurseong was a small village in the kingdom of Sikkim. Its name is derived from the local word “Kurson-Rip”, meaning a small white orchid.

Kurseong is now affectionately called the land of the white orchids and hence the name of the heritage walk.

“The road to Darjeeling that was built through Kurseong from Titliya is known as the Military Road and despite its current state of disrepair we plan to introduce ‘White Orchid Heritage Walk’ through these stretches to attract not just adventure sports enthusiasts but also send across a message to conserve nature,” said Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator, adventure tourism, GTA.

The trek will start from Dokan Dara and take hikers through patches where wild orchids are grown along with pine tree forest and Chinese bamboo forests in Kurseong.

Hikers can also experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of the local people at Chitray busty.

“A visit to Kali Pokhari, a small sacred pond with historical and cultural importance, has also been included in the itinerary,” said a GTA official.

The daylong hike, which starts from 5,100 feet and ends at an altitude of 7,137 feet, is classified as a “moderate level” hike.

The hike is expected to start from the third week of June.

Sources said that the GTA is trying various initiatives to attract tourists to Kurseong which is largely overshadowed by Darjeeling.

Last week, the GTA tourism department introduced paragliding from Giddepahar to Rohini in the subdivision.

A source said they are also working out plans to introduce mountain biking from Darjeeling More (in Siliguri) to Tindharia and rock climbing at Kurseong.