Bengal govt starts tea tourism; 8 N Bengal gardens

Kolkata, May 9: The West Bengal government has planned to start tea tourism in eight tea gardens in North Bengal.

Speaking to UNI, State Tourism Principal Secretary G D Gautam said, '' We are in talks with eight garden owners to start tea tourism there.'' However, he refused to divulge the names of the gardens which have been selected for the tea tourism projects.

The state government would work as a facilitator, he said adding a separate approval would be required to use the gardens to boost tourism projects.

''One or two resorts may be set up inside the gardens to accomodate the tourists. This kind of tourism will attract foreign tourists as well,'' he added.

A central fund of Rs 20.24 crore would be received by the state government for development of the tourism sector.

However, industry circles feel the upgradation of infrastructure at the Bagdogra airport was necessary to facilitate night landing and allow international flights to land at the airport.

UNI