Dooars Winter Tourism Sees Revival After Devastating Floods, Offering Hope For A Stronger 2026 Season

Published on December 29, 2025

The Dooars area in West Bengal, noted for its beautiful views and rich fauna, has experienced a turnaround in its tourism sector after the Puja season, which had been a disaster for the industry. The region, which covers famous visiting places like Jaldapara National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve and the villages of Madarihat and Jayanti, suffered greatly from the heavy rains and floods that took place in October. Nonetheless, the winter has brought the first signs of a strong increase in tourist activities, thus facilitating the area’s economic recovery.

The Setback: A Devastating Flood Crisis

In early October, torrential rains in neighbouring Sikkim, combined with an influx of water and dolomite deposits from Bhutan, led to widespread devastation across the Dooars. The heavy rains caused severe flooding, damaging resorts, homestays, and local infrastructure. This crisis not only forced large-scale cancellations of bookings but also led to immense financial losses for the tourism industry. During the critical Puja season, the losses were estimated to be as high as Rs 500 crore, leaving many operators uncertain about the survival of their businesses. This unprecedented crisis meant that several businesses, which had relied on the peak festive season for survival, faced an uncertain future.

The Winter Revival: A Ray of Hope for Dooars Tourism

With the onset of winter, the region has seen a gradual but steady recovery. From late December through January, the chilly weather, dense fog, and the allure of the forested landscapes are attracting a steady stream of visitors. The area’s natural beauty, combined with a growing focus on wildlife experiences and adventure activities, is once again drawing tourists to the Dooars.

Several popular destinations in the region, including Jayanti under Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jaldapara, Madarihat, and Lataguri, are experiencing full occupancy at their lodges, homestays, and safari services. Between December 20 and January 10, nearly all accommodations in these areas are fully booked, and visitors are flocking to car safari ticket counters at Jaldapara National Park and other major spots.

Jaldapara National Park and Jayanti: Crowded with Nature Lovers

On December 24 and 25, the car safari counters at Jaldapara National Park experienced overwhelming demand, with many visitors unable to secure bookings due to full occupancy within minutes of opening. Lataguri, another popular spot near the park, also witnessed similar scenes, with tourists eager to explore the region’s rich wildlife, including the famous one-horned rhinoceros and diverse bird species.

Local Stakeholders Optimistic About the Upcoming Season

Bishwajit Saha, the General Secretary of the Eastern Dooars Tourism Development Association, echoed similar sentiments. He noted that both the Dooars and the nearby hills were hit hard by floods during the Durga Puja period, affecting both the tourism industry and the local economy.

Despite the positive signs, tourism stakeholders have noticed a dip in bookings after December 26, with occupancy rates dropping to around 50 per cent in certain areas like Mal and Kalimpong. This unusual dip in post-Christmas bookings has been attributed to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which led to several tourists cancelling their bookings upon receiving hearing notices. Biplab De, Joint Secretary of the Dooars Tourism Development Welfare Society, explained that the ongoing revision process may have affected traveller confidence, particularly during the festive season.

Winter Tourism Continues to Shine Amid Challenges

Despite the dip in bookings following the holiday rush, the overall outlook for winter tourism in the Dooars remains positive. With several of the region’s key attractions seeing a steady stream of visitors, the tourism sector has shown resilience, and stakeholders are hopeful for a better upcoming season. The increasing interest in wildlife safaris, nature walks, and visits to protected areas such as the Buxa Tiger Reserve are likely to continue drawing nature lovers to the region in the coming months.

The winter season is expected to be one of the busiest in years for the Dooars region. With most accommodations fully booked for the peak period between December and January, the hope is that the region will be able to sustain its tourism growth in the coming months, leading to long-term recovery and prosperity for the local communities.

Dooars Rebounds Stronger with Winter Tourism

The winter season is, in a way, a savior for the tourism industry in the Dooars. The floods that occurred in October caused a lot of trouble but the gradual arrival of tourists to important wildlife places like Jaldapara and Buxa Tiger Reserve reveals the region’s tourism sector’s strength. Winter is still working its magic over the forests and national parks; thus, the Dooars is ready to come back to the top of nature and wildlife tourism in India, this year bearing a very hopeful outlook.