Kalimpong,
May 19: History, heritage, culture. These are the words the
Hotel and Restaurant Association of Kalimpong (Horak) is banking
on to give tourism a new dimension. The association is planning
to work towards preservation of places, which have historical
and cultural significanc.
Kalimpong has a lot to offer to tourists
interested in history and culture. there are a lot of monasteries
and places where eminent personalities - like writers and
thinkers - have stayed. These places are slowly crumbling
and if care is not taken then they will be destroyed in the
years to come,` said Horak president Amod Yonzon.
The Horak has already identified 15 places
and efforts are on to preserve them. Not all heritage monuments
have connection with famous personalities. Some of the places
reflect the past and the culture of the hill people.
`For example, there is the Christian Book
Depot on the Main Road. It was closed down a few years ago.
I have heard the authorities have decided to demolish it and
build a parking lot in its place. But the place should be
allowed to stay not only because of its architecture, but
also the ornate roof,` Yozon said.
There are houses like the one in Chandraloke where the princes
of Greece and Denmark lived during their visit to Kalimpong.
The problem with these historical houses
is that the buildings are either situated on disputed land
or the present owners are difficult to trace.
`For example, we do not know who is the
Present owner of Gauripur house, where Rabindranath Tagore
used to stay during his visits,` said Yonzon.
The Horak president said the association
would approach the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council for help
to preserve the historical buildings.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
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