The glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) that occurred in Sikkim in October last year, coupled with recurring landslides along NH10 has led to a loss of around ₹500 crore for the tourism industry of north Bengal and Sikkim, asserted stakeholders of the industry here on Tuesday.

“Both Sikkim and Bengal have suffered massively in the tourism sector for the GLOF that led to a flash flood in the Teesta and some other rivers. Added to it were the recurring landslides on NH10. These natural disasters have led to a loss of ₹500 crore for the tourism sector. The industry had taken a beating earlier due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Again, it is facing huge losses,” said Samrat Sanyal, a member of the North Bengal Tourism Promotion Task Force constituted by the Bengal government.

Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim. File picture

After the GLOF, the tourism sector in Sikkim and Kalimpong took a backseat as NH10, the principal highway was closed for weeks. Till now, Lachen, a tourist hotspot for tourists in the Mangan district in the north of Sikkim, has not opened for tourists.

Many tourists cancelled their trips because they had to take turnaround routes to their destinations. Also, during this year’s monsoon, the highway closed down several times because of a landslide or a stretch ofthe road caved in. This further deterred tourists from visiting Sikkim and Kalimpong.

Sanyal, who is also general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN) said this year, on the occasion of the World Tourism Day (WTD) that will be celebrated on September 27, they had lined up events on “Save Teesta, Save NH10 and Save Tourism” theme.

“We feel it is necessary to conserve the river and the highway for the interest of tourism which employs thousands of local people. Added to it, we have planned some other events,” he added.

Among these include a colourful procession, a Joy Ride on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s toy train with the specially-abled children, and the annual award distribution ceremony to people associated with the sector.

Like HHTDN, the Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators Association (EHTTOA), another body of tourism stakeholders in north Bengal, has planned to celebrate WTD.

A cleanliness drive and free health check-up camp would be held in Khiarani-Punding. This hamlet is in the fringes of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and came into fame for the Ranbir Kapoor starrer Barfi, a car and bike rally, followed by a cultural event.

“Hundreds of local residents will join the event. We want to impart the message of a clean and green tourism. The hamlet is fast gaining popularity among tourists,” said Debasish Maitra, a senior member of the association.