Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Take Steps For Promoting Tourism And Developing Tea Industry In ... on 22 March, 2006
an> Title : Need to take steps for promoting tourism and developing tea industry in Darjeeling with a view to generate employment in the region.
SHRI D. NARBULA (DARJEELING): Darjeeling, popularly know as the ‘Queen of Hills’, is one important holiday destination for tourists of this country and from all over the world. Very famous for it three T’s of Tea, Timber and Tourism, this queen of hills of yesteryears however stands totally neglected today.
A large number of tourists flock to this small hill station every year but nothing concrete has been done so far towards the further development of tourism in this town. The famous tourist attractions like the famous Toy Train stands wholly neglected today and places like Mirik, Kalipong and Kurseong remain in bad shape.
“Champagne of the World” is what the tea produce of Darjeeling is labeled. But this tea industry is desecrating day by day. Tea production has decreased and gardens have been closed down causing unemployment and financial crisis to the thousands of poor tea garden workers and their families. The closure of tea gardens have even led to suicide by the helpless and frustrated workers. So, I request the Union Government and the respective Minister to look into the above aspect and take immediate and proper measures towards the upliftment and development of this hill station and its people, and generate employment.