The Central Dooars Ecotourism Information Centre, initiated by the Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT) - Central Dooars Committee in collaboration with local tourism associations in Jaldapara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve and Chilapata Sanctuary, was inaugurated last week at Madarihat on National Highway 31A, Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal. The guests of honour Anil Adhikary, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Falakata, and Wilson Champramari, MLA, Kalchini, inaugurated the centre. Dr Amal Kanti Roy, Sub-Divisional Officer, Alipurduar, was the special guest, while Soumyadeep Dutta, Founder of Nature Beacons, was the chief guest. ACT has provided Rs 25,000 to the Central Dooars Committee to arrange the interiors of the office and put up necessary display boards.
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The centre is a continuation of the initiative taken last year by Gautam Deb, Minister, North Bengal Development Department, to create five temporary tourist felicitation and information booths at Bagdogra Airport, New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus, Malbazar and Alipurduar, according to a press release. The Central Dooars Ecotourism Centre will be equipped with complete information about Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jaldapara National Park and Chilapata Sanctuary. There will be additional information on the diverse cultures of the different communities living around the said protected areas.
At the inauguration, Roy spoke about the need for guidelines and policies for the development of Ecotourism. Dutta said that the local lodge owners, travel agents, guides, etc., are partners in conservation of the rich natural resources. He expressed his gratitude to ACT members for organising the relief of Bodoland and Lower Assam, which are still undergoing a lot of suffering.