The scenic hills of Darjeeling is
boiling following the ongoing renewed campaign for Gorkhaland, local tour
operators are facing huge cancellations for bus and car services to the hot
spots even as trekking and camping trails have been empty
.
.
Gour Kanjilal, executive director of
the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), New Delhi, said, “Darjeeling
is not on the minds of travellers”.
This instance has encouraged tourists
to shift to other destinations like Shimla and Kullu Manali in far away
Himachal Pradesh.
Knjilal grieves, “Those who have come
back have had a bitter experience… No food, no water, no transport. Therefore
the rest have decided against going to Darjeeling”.
According to the travel agents in
Kolkata, tourists are avoiding Darjeeling and choosing to explore neighbouring
Bhutan and the lush forests of Dooars in north Bengal.
Darjeeling hills have been on the turmoil
after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) escalated its movement for Gorkhaland - to
be carved out of parts of Darjeeling and neighbouring Jalpaiguri district –
after the statehood of Telangana
.
The indefinite strike called from Aug
3 has severely restricted the movement of vehicles along the National Highway
31A connecting Siliguri in Darjeeling district with Gangtok, capital of Sikkim.
Snuggled in the Himalayan ranges, the
sleepy town of Darjeeling is the starting point for eager trekkers and
backpackers who favour the beaten track to Sandakphu which is the highest peak
in West Bengal.
The jeep safaris to the Singalila National
Park are real treasures for wildlife lovers.
As for the shutdown these trails have
run cold and the parks remain devoid of tourists.
Subash Tamang of Asmita Treks and
Tours in Darjeeling said, “All our bookings for the Sandakphu, Phalut and
Singalila are cancelled. No one wants to go there now.”
Now, the only option for the visitors
is the railway. An agent of Wheels and Wings said, “They are taking the trains
instead of buses.”
Helicopter service to Gangtok may soon
start in full vigour, according to operators.
Still, with the holidays yet to start,
booking agents are hopeful that the GJM will allow tourists to enter the region
during the Durga Puja which begins from Oct 9.
An agent of Gallivant Tours and
Travels said, “It is their source of revenue. So they can’t continue like
this.”
