States » EastPosted at: Sep 27 2026 6:39PM


Indo-Nepal tourism ties take centre stage at World Tourism Day event in Tumling

Tumling (Nepal), Sep 27 (UNI) The unique tourism interdependence between India and Nepal came into focus at a World Tourism Day programme organised at Tumling, a picturesque mountain settlement in Nepal, on Sunday, with stakeholders calling for coordinated efforts to develop tourism infrastructure and promote the region as an important high-altitude destination.
Tumling, located at an altitude of around 2,970 metres above sea level and about 19 km downhill from Sandakphu, has gradually emerged as a popular tourist halt, with a growing number of homestays catering to visitors travelling towards Sandakphu and other destinations in the Singalila region.
Interestingly, while Tumling is geographically located in Nepal, a substantial part of its tourism economy depends on visitors and transport services originating from India. Tourists generally reach Tumling from Maneybhanjan in Darjeeling using Land Rovers and other powerful four-wheel-drive vehicles. This has created a distinctive cross-border tourism economy in which a Nepali settlement derives considerable economic benefits from the Indian tourism network.
The World Tourism Day programme was organised with the cooperation of the West Bengal government, Nepal Tourism Board, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and other tourism organisations, including the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators' Association (ETTOA).
ETTOA general secretary Sandipan Ghosh announced a contribution of Rs 1 lakh to the Nepal Tourism Board as a small gesture of support towards disaster relief in Nepal.
He also said he would draw the attention of the West Bengal government to the tourism-related problems of the region and seek the involvement of the Tourism, Forest and Public Works departments.
Ghosh said coordinated intervention was necessary as tourism in the region was closely linked with nature and the environment. The Indian side, particularly the Singalila National Park area, has considerable tourism potential.
However, restrictions relating to the protected forest and national park environment mean that development cannot be undertaken without the involvement of the Forest Department and appropriate Central government agencies, he said.
At present, the Indian tourism economy connected with Tumling is largely concentrated around transportation from Maneybhanjan.
Stakeholders pointed out that while Indian operators and vehicle owners benefit from the movement of tourists, wider development of the region has not progressed at the same pace. They called for a coordinated India-Nepal initiative to improve infrastructure and create sustainable tourism opportunities without compromising the fragile mountain environment.
Owner of Ashmita Trek and Tours, Subash Tamang from Darjeeling highlighted another concern. According to him, traditional trekking routes have gradually been replaced by motorable roads, while the number of foreign trekkers has declined sharply since 2012, with the situation worsening after the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said alternative trekking routes should be identified and developed to attract foreign and adventure tourists who prefer walking through the Himalayan landscape.
Kesri Thamang, a pioneer of homestays in Tumling, said security restrictions along the Indo-Nepal border should be eased slightly, as the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) already guards the area.
“If the rules are relaxed, tourists can visit the region more easily and without unnecessary hassles,” she said.
Kush Bahadur Theba, chairman of the local rural municipality in Nepal, spoke about the development of the region and the need to improve communication and connectivity. While this year's World Tourism Day theme focuses on tourism and the opportunities presented by AI-powered development and social media promotion, participants stressed that the natural environment remains the principal attraction of the region.
Sandakphu remains the major tourist attraction, with Tumling serving as one of the important bases on the route.
A special workshop was also organised for homestay owners on handling medical emergencies involving tourists at high altitude. Participants were trained in basic first-response and life-saving procedures, including how to respond if a tourist suffers a sudden cardiac emergency before professional medical assistance becomes available.
The programme highlighted the considerable potential for tourism development on both sides of the Indo-Nepal border. Participants stressed that better coordination among Nepal, West Bengal, the GTA, tourism organisations and Central agencies could help Tumling and the surrounding region emerge as a stronger and more sustainable cross-border tourism circuit.
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