Gorkha agenda cheers Darjeeling tea planters

KOLKATA: Darjeeling tea planters’ keenness to launch tea tourism has found support in the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s development agenda but the Mamata Banerjee government is sitting idle on the project. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung has asked planters to come up with development projects including tea tourism which can generate employment and earn revenue for the newly formed Gorkha Territorial Administration ( GTA).

Planters are keen on tea tourism because it provides them an alternative source of income at a time when erratic weather is affecting tea production. Talking to ET, SS Bagaria, chairman of Darjeeling Tea Association, said: “The GJM leader has told us that GTA has outlined a number of development projects for the region.

Tea tourism is one of the important projects that he has suggested. Planters too are keen to develop tourism projects as this will add to their profitability.” Though Mamata Banerjee is gung-ho about tea tourism, her government has not yet allowed planters to convert land use from agriculture to tourism.

“I have submitted three such projects but I am yet to get a no-objection certificate from the government. Tea tourism has immense potential in the hills and can attract international tourists,” said Bagaria. Gurung has asked planters to consider the setting up of an auction centre in Darjeeling and take active part in the development of the region.

Darjeeling tea industry veterans say the project will not take off unless the government takes the initiative. Ashok Lohia, chairman, Chamong Tee, the largest Darjeeling tea producer, said the GJM supremo is perturbed that teas from other regions were being branded and sold as Darjeeling tea.