Jalpaiguri Launches Parishkar Paryatan Initiative Promotes Their Eco-Friendly Tourism in the Dooars, Ensuring Sustainability and Supporting Eco-Tourism Growth

Published on December 25, 2025

With increasing tourism in the Dooars area, to address these concerns, the district authority of Jalpaiguri, under the jurisdiction of Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad, has recently initiated a new project called Parishkar Paryatan to maintain cleanliness and support eco-tourism activities. Started at the Lali Guras Picnic Spot at Matiali, this project ensures that the beauty of the Dooars is not harmed but supported while adopting proper tourism activities. Parishkar Paryatan also aims to keep big tourist sites plastic-free, clean, and ecologically sustainable to maintain a balance between increasing tourism and environmental protection.

Sustainable Eco-Tourism: Balancing Growth with Environmental Preservation

The Parishkar Paryatan initiative was established with the understanding that tourism, especially in regions like the Dooars, thrives best in clean and well-preserved environments. The eco-tourism focus recognizes that natural spaces such as forests, rivers, picnic spots, and forest-adjacent locations are not just travel destinations but ecosystems that must be preserved for future generations. The initiative has been designed to ensure that increasing tourist footfall does not harm the delicate balance of nature. By promoting responsible tourism, the initiative advocates for eco-friendly practices, such as the use of biodegradable materials and the reduction of single-use plastics, thus contributing to the sustainability of the region.

Structured Planning for Effective Waste Management and Eco-Tourism Development

One of the cornerstones of the Parishkar Paryatan initiative is its structured approach to waste management and eco-tourism development. By identifying and mapping key tourist zones, including picnic spots, riverbanks, forests, resorts, and homestays, the district can effectively monitor and manage these areas. This methodical planning ensures that even lesser-known and seasonal tourist destinations benefit from the initiative, addressing waste management and eco-tourism development in a holistic manner.

By including both popular and off-the-beaten-path spots, the initiative ensures that all areas with tourist activity are included in the eco-tourism framework. This planning approach helps to protect the natural beauty of these locations, contributing to eco-tourism’s growth in the region.

Community Participation: Key to Eco-Tourism Success

A distinctive feature of Parishkar Paryatan is its emphasis on community participation. The initiative fosters a sense of shared responsibility among various stakeholders, including block-level officials, forest departments, NGOs, local businesses, and tourism operators. Local resort and homestay owners, shopkeepers, and vendors all play vital roles in supporting eco-tourism and clean tourism practices, turning cleanliness and environmental responsibility into a collective civic duty.

This collaborative approach ensures that the eco-tourism efforts do not fall solely on the authorities but are instead embraced by the community. It also empowers local communities to take ownership of their natural resources, making them key players in the sustainability of the region.

Promoting Eco-Tourism Practices Through Education and Enforcement

At the heart of the initiative is the promotion of responsible tourism through education and awareness campaigns. Information and education activities at key tourist entry points, such as resorts, markets, and picnic zones, focus on promoting eco-friendly behavior, proper waste disposal, and the reduction of plastic usage. By engaging visitors early in their journey, the initiative encourages a shift in mindset towards eco-tourism and sustainable travel practices.

To reinforce the message, fines for littering and the use of plastic are enforced. Community development volunteers and local police ensure that these rules are followed, protecting the natural surroundings and promoting eco-tourism compliance. This system of education and enforcement helps preserve the eco-tourism potential of Jalpaiguri.

Smart Waste Management and Eco-Friendly Alternatives

The Parishkar Paryatan initiative integrates smart waste management (SWM) technologies to enhance the eco-tourism experience. With the use of QR-coded dustbins, e-kart tracking, and data-driven waste collection, the district can more efficiently handle waste, particularly during peak tourist periods. These innovations also provide real-time data that help ensure proper waste management while improving eco-tourism operations.

In addition to waste management, the initiative promotes eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics, such as sal leaf and arecanut plates, biodegradable bags, and locally made products. These alternatives not only align with the environmental goals of the initiative but also support local livelihoods by creating economic opportunities for self-help groups and local artisans.

Moreover, ragpickers and marginalized groups are incorporated into the waste management system at the gram panchayat level, where plastic waste is procured at Rs 20 per kilogram. This effort integrates the community into the eco-tourism framework and ensures that economic benefits are shared with those involved in sustainable tourism practices.

Eco-Tourism Awards: Incentivizing Cleanliness and Sustainability

To encourage continued participation and eco-friendly practices, the district administration has introduced seasonal awards to recognize outstanding contributions to clean eco-tourism. Categories include cleanest tourist spot, best-managed tourist area, and the highest plastic collection. These awards incentivize healthy competition among local communities, resort owners, and tourist areas, fostering a culture of responsible tourism and eco-sustainability in Jalpaiguri.

Long-Term Impact of Eco-Tourism in Jalpaiguri

The long-term impact of Parishkar Paryatan is expected to be transformative for Jalpaiguri and the Dooars region. As tourism continues to grow, ensuring that the region’s natural beauty is preserved for future generations is paramount. The initiative’s focus on eco-tourism will contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in the Dooars, attracting eco-conscious travelers seeking destinations that offer both natural beauty and environmental responsibility.

The initiative’s emphasis on community participation, eco-friendly waste management, and the promotion of local livelihoods ensures that the benefits of tourism are not only shared by visitors but also enhance the socio-economic fabric of the region.

A Cleaner, Greener Future for Dooars Tourism

Parishkar Paryatan is more than a clean-up campaign; rather, it is a long-term commitment to eco-tourism in Jalpaiguri. With the number of visitors increasing in the Dooars, a campaign such as Parishkar Paryatan, which emphasizes eco-friendly endeavors, community engagement, and conservation of the environment in which the eco-tourist destination exists, is expected to ensure the Dooars remain one of the premier eco-tourist sites in the country while being a clean destination at the same time. Parishkar Paryatan is, in short, building the future of Dooars by making it a clean, green, and sustainable destination in the years to come.