Alipurduar tourism aims to make Phanskhawa a must-visit tourist spot

Kolkata: In its sustained efforts to give a big boost to the enormous tourism potential in Alipurduar, its district tourism has chalked out elaborate plans to develop a new tourist destination at Phanskhawa adjacent to Jayanti.

"We have already prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) which will soon be forwarded to the state Tourism department for its nod. There is a unique combination of tea gardens and lush green forests at the stretch from Phanskhawa to Bhutanghat. We want to tap this destination's potential which has been unexplored but can be developed as a prime tourist destination," Abhirup Bose, nodal officer for tourism in the district, said.

The district tourism wants to develop an environment-friendly resort with good quality cuisine, a watch tower and a cafeteria adjacent to Phanskhawa.

The district tourism has also started a photography contest inviting entries in two sections: 'Tribal Life of Alipurduar' and 'Nature & Wild Life of Alipurduar'.

The last date for submission of entries is on December 31 and a person may submit a maximum of two photographs in each of the sections. The three winners in each category will be awarded with cash prizes. The details for the contest has been uploaded in the website alipurduartourism.in.

Come December , 50 Home Stays in exotic locations will be fully operational. The home stays located at exotic locations will not only attract normal tourists but also trekkers. Home stays that will come up at places in Panbari, Pukhuri. Lepchakha etc can be reached through trekking. "Blessed with thick forests and a variety of wildlife, Alipurduar exudes great scenic beauty. Hence, we have made elaborate plans for home stay. The tribal families who have their residences in close proximity to the tourist destinations and are willing to spare rooms for the tourists are being facilitated by the government to arrange for home stay facilities. It is promoting tribal livelihood as well as creating lodging facilities for the tourists," Bose added.

Situated on the north bank of Kaljani River, Alipurduar acts a gateway to Bhutan and North Eastern states of India.

Sources in the Tourism department said that the government will carry out restoration work at Gosanimari - known for historical relics - and a small forest close to the area. Saalbagan - a patch of forest land in Cooch Behar will also be developed.

It is learnt that the state government has future plans of merging destinations in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar to make a comprehensive tourist circuit where people can visit forests, historical relics and heritage buildings of the royals.