Raj Basu, chairman of the state government's tourism department's eco-tourism committee in Sikkim, says, “Durga Puja happened much earlier this year. Still, the Puja bookings were good. In Dooars, 60 to 65 percent of bookings happen. Generally, tourists move between the hills and the Dooars according to the weather.
Heavy rainfall, along with water and disastrous landslides coming down from Bhutan, has dealt a severe blow to North Bengal's tourism industry. As a result, losses of nearly ₹500 crore are feared during the festival season. The extremely heavy rainfall caused by low pressure last Saturday night made the hill rivers of North Bengal overflow, flooding hotels, resorts, and homestays in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri.
Particularly, the Shishamara River flowing beside Jaldapara National Park overflowed, causing extensive damage to homestays and resorts. From Sunday, the flood impact became clear in vast areas of the Dooars. Many resorts have been destroyed. Many areas are still impassable due to mud and soil. Tourism experts say that the Dooars economy depends mainly on tea, timber, and tourism. The simultaneous impact of floods on tea gardens and tourism has economically crippled that region.
But this year, damage occurred simultaneously. Locals have faced a financial crisis. Deaths have also occurred. The impact of Sikkim's 2023 disaster has not yet been overcome. On top of that, it will take at least six months to overcome this new blow."
He says, “The way the administration of four districts, drivers, various tourism associations, hotel owners, GTA, Siliguri municipality, together are dealing with that situation has made it possible to protect every tourist. In the hills' Sukhiapokhri, Mirik, Bijanbari, and areas beyond Alipurduar's Shishamara, where hotels and lodges have been damaged, we hope government assistance will be provided to help them recover. We will submit a written application to the Chief Minister for this. Otherwise, they cannot stand in any way. Overall, the damage amount will exceed nearly ₹500 crore”.
Bijay Kumar Thapa, vice-president of Kalimpong District Tourism Welfare Association, reassures tourists, saying, "The roads to Dooars and Kalimpong are now quite safe. Some bookings have been cancelled, but efforts are underway to quickly restore normal conditions."
Bishwajit Saha, general secretary of Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association, says, 'Only in Madarihat, centered around Jaldapara, at least ₹68 lakh loss has occurred. Since Corona, our backbone has been broken by one blow after another.'
